Mount Vernon principal to resign

Mount Vernon High School principal Anthony Terrell is stepping down from his position effective next week.

In a letter to sent to Mount Vernon families on Monday, Terrell did not specifically say why he was leaving, but said he felt “compelled to seize the opportunity to share many of the lessons I have learned throughout my career, including here at MVHS, in a different context.”

“The decision to leave MVHS, especially now, was not an easy one,” Terrell said in the letter. “I remain energized by our current progress and was looking forward to being a part of the great things that lie ahead for our school.”

Terrell could not immediately be reached for comment. Mount Vernon District school board member Karen Corbett Sanders said she did not know what Terrell’s specific plans are.

JaVon Rogers, currently an acting associate principal at Hayfield Secondary School, will be taking over as interim principal at Mount Vernon, according to a Tuesday letter sent by Region 3 Superintendent Nardos King to Mount Vernon parents. Rogers has served a principal of Gunston Elementary School in Lorton, where she was named the FCPS Outstanding 1st Year Principal in 2014.

Terrell has been principal at Mount Vernon since 2016. He took over for King, who had left in 2015 to take a position for Baltimore County Public Schools.

King also said in her letter that former Mount Vernon principal Eric Brent, who preceded her as principal at the school, would be supporting the school and the Mount Vernon pyramid as an executive principal assigned to Region 3.

“As the former principal at Mount Vernon High School, Dr. Brent is a well-respected and known member of the school community,” King said of Brent, who is also an MVHS graduate. “His extensive high school background coupled with his skills and experiences as an executive principal will provide additional support and guidance in Region 3 until a new principal is named at Mount Vernon High School.”

The full text of Terrell’s letter:

Dear MVHS Community,

I am writing to inform you that this morning I shared with my administrative team my decision to resign as principal of Mount Vernon High School, effective March 2, 2020. The decision to leave MVHS, especially now, was not an easy one. I remain energized by our current progress and was looking forward to being a part of the great things that lie ahead for our school. I now feel compelled to seize the opportunity to share many of the lessons I have learned throughout my career, including here at MVHS, in a different context.

I am most thankful for the consistent support I have received from you over the past four years. Please know that I will forever cherish the way you welcomed me into this community and the friendships I have been fortunate to establish with so many of you. As I have often said, Mount Vernon is a great school because of the willingness of our parents to partner with us in doing whatever it takes to ensure all our students have a world-class educational experience each day.

As I leave MVHS, I am confident that our Region Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Nardos King, will work tirelessly to ensure that MVHS continues under highly capable leadership. Mount Vernon is one of the best schools in Fairfax County and will undoubtedly remain so for many years to come. Thank you for the truly wonderful experience of serving as your principal. I wish you continued success. Once a Major, always a Major. Mount Vernon!

Sincerely,

Anthony S. Terrell, Ph.D.