James E. Richmond, a 47-year career retired Charles County Public Schools educator and former longtime Superintendent of Schools, passed away on Wednesday, April 24.

Mr. Richmond began his career as a classroom teacher at La Plata High School in 1966 and closed out his educational career as Superintendent of Schools in 2013. He served as the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Superintendent of Schools for four terms and was first appointed to the role in 1997.

Richmond was a visionary leader and sought to better the lives of every child in Charles County each day. Throughout his tenure as Superintendent, Richmond was often seen in schools visiting classrooms, talking with students, reading books to classes, meeting with teachers and staff and advocating daily on behalf of the students he proudly served. He was committed to advancing educational access and technology for students and received several accolades during his career to honor his commitment to the academic and personal success of all students. 

“To say Jim enjoyed education would only scratch the surface. He embraced education, and he loved helping children,” Michael K. Lukas, member of the Board of Education of Charles County, said. Lukas was first elected to the Board in 2010 and worked closely with Richmond his last three years as Superintendent. “He did all of this never seeking the spotlight though he was honored for his many achievements," Lukas said. “His legacy will live on and his impact on students will continue for generations.”

Under Richmond’s leadership, CCPS made advancements in technology and instruction, with opening new schools for a growing student population; implementing a systemwide data warehouse, establishing a strategic plan that focused on the academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility of all students; and focusing on the importance of closing achievement and access gaps among students.

He made strides in minority achievement; Richmond was recognized nationally, locally and by the state for Charles County Public Schools’ efforts to eliminate the minority achievement gap.

In 1996, Richmond pushed the Board of Education to form a Minority Achievement Committee and to approve the school system’s 10 requirements for Minority Achievement. Richmond was inducted into the Charles County NAACP Hall of Fame in 2005 for his dedication to excellence and achievement in education for all students.

Additionally, Richmond was honored with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Excellence for Minority Achievement Chair Award and by the National NAACP Education Department as the recipient of the Daisy Bates Educational Advocacy Award for the school system’s work in seeking to improve equity and accountability in education.

As Superintendent, Richmond launched multiple programs to help students excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). CCPS developed partnerships with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Andrews Air Force Base and the Patuxent River Naval Base to develop compelling and real-life-based technology programs for students. Additionally, Richmond was instrumental in launching the school system’s partnership with the Space Foundation to bring space-related STEM programs to teachers and students.

“I will remember Mr. Richmond for his visionary leadership.  He worked to usher CCPS into the 21^st century,” Linda Gill, Ed.D., CCPS executive director of schools, said. “The James E. Richmond Science Center and the partnership he developed with the Space Foundation inspired us to imagine the possibilities for students.”

Programs initiated under Richmond include Project Lead the Way, Gateway to Technology, the launching of CCPS into the MESA program — Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement in 2007; developing partnerships with a wide range of space industry, military, government and educational institutions and individual scientists to support and supplement CCPS school programs; and including a digital classroom/planetarium with aerospace programming and Science on a Sphere for use by students throughout CCPS and the community at St. Charles High School.

In 2003, Richmond was named the Maryland State Superintendent of the Year. He also received national recognition for his work to upgrade and advance CCPS with technology for students. In 2007, Cisco Systems honored Richmond with its 21^st Century Award and its Outstanding Vision and Leadership Award.

“Jim was a visionary and an innovator who wanted to put Charles County on the map with its educational opportunities,” Lukas said.  

Under Richmond’s leadership, CCPS opened four schools — North Point High School, Theodore G. Davis Middle School and Mary B. Neal and William A. Diggs elementary schools, and completed renovations and expansion of four others, including the addition of the school system’s first indoor pool at Henry E. Lackey High School. Richmond’s final project was the building of St. Charles High School and its Science Center, which was named in recognition of Richmond. His legacy will live on daily as students, teachers and staff visit the James E. Richmond Science Center and learn about space, STEM and the world.

Richmond saw beyond just academics to the well-rounded student. He was committed to the health and safety of students and staff. He formed partnerships with agencies such as the Charles County Department of Health and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. As a result of these relationships, CCPS has school resource officers (SRO) in each middle and high school, and a dedicated health department nurse at every school and center. He and former Board member the late Col. Donald M. Wade worked together to shepherd in the Junior Reserves Officers Training Corp (JROTC) program to CCPS high schools.

The James E. Richmond Leadership in Excellence Award was created in 2013 as a tribute to Richmond. The annual award is given to a CCPS staff member who demonstrates standards of excellence in leadership as demonstrated by Richmond. The award was the brainchild of Wade.

“Mr. Richmond was an inspirational influence on me personally and professionally. He always had an encouraging word any time I saw him throughout my vice principal and principal career — not very many — but the few words he spoke were more powerful than perhaps he even realized,” Chief of Schools Marvin L. Jones, Ed.D., said. “Mr. Richmond was one of the most genuine people I’ve known, true to himself (and his word) and reliably authentic.” Jones earned the James E. Richmond Leadership in Excellence Award in 2019.

At the June 2013 Board of Education meeting, Richmond was honored by former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley with a citation highlighting his 47-year career in education. The honor was bestowed upon Richmond by Pat Foerster, who served as Gov. O’Malley’s education policy advisor. “You leave behind a legacy for the school system of putting programs in place that put children first. The people of Maryland celebrate your passion and vision,” Foerster said.

Richmond came to Charles County Public Schools in 1966 as a classroom teacher at La Plata High School. He transferred to Thomas Stone High School in 1969 when it opened and became principal there in 1973. “First of all, it is one of the best jobs in the world,” Richmond said of being a principal, reflecting on his career in a retirement video. “You get to work directly with staff and with kids and you can directly affect what kids learn.”

“Mr. Richmond was my principal during my four years at Thomas Stone High School. As a student, I was always in awe of how he managed to forge interpersonal relationships with staff and students while remaining the consummate professional,” Kathy Perriello, a retired CCPS principal, said. Perriello, who was Kathy Goldsmith in 1985 when she was Thomas Stone’s senior class president, remembered working closely with Richmond as a student leader and later when she came to work for the school system. “From student to employee, I am honored that I was his ‘student’ throughout the many different chapters of my life,” she said.

Richmond served as principal at Stone until 1985 when he was appointed director of supervision and curriculum for CCPS. He next served as director of school administration, beginning in 1987, then became the regional administrator for the southern region schools in 1994. Mr. Richmond was appointed as interim Superintendent of Schools in 1996. In 1997 he started his tenure as Superintendent which would span four terms.

Richmond earned his bachelor’s degree from Tusculum College in Tennessee, his master’s degree from Bowie State University and his Ed.S. from George Washington University. He also attended Superintendent’s training and seminars at Harvard University, as well as programs through its Principal’s Center.

Following his retirement, Richmond and his wife spent time in South Carolina where he enjoyed playing golf. He was well known for his love of family, especially doting on his grandchildren, who were his pride and joy. Those who knew him well knew of the stories he would share about how special his family was.

Richmond reflected on his time with CCPS in a 2013 video on the eve of his retirement as Superintendent of Schools. “It’s about people. It’s not about things, but I thoroughly enjoyed it,” he said. “Most people dream dreams, but they never implement them. I’ve had the pleasure of implementing almost every dream or vision that we’ve had for our children.”

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.

CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).