school board

School Board

The Chesterfield County School Board is the governing body of Chesterfield County Public Schools. The board’s responsibilities include policy making, budget approval, hiring and evaluation of the superintendent and hearing appeals of discipline and grievance issues. The School Board consists of one member elected from each of Chesterfield County’s five magisterial districts. Members serve four-year terms; the current terms expire Dec. 31, 2027. Board members elect a chair and vice chair each January.

Click the “policies and meeting materials” button for the School Board meeting schedule, meeting packets and presentations, policy manual and minutes. Work sessions and business meetings are held in the Public Meeting Room, located at 10001 Iron Bridge Road. Unless otherwise noted, work sessions begin at 4 p.m. and business meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. Work sessions and business meetings are shown live on Comcast channel 98 and Verizon channel 28 and are livestreamed at chesterfieldschoolsva.swagit.com/live.

Call 804-748-1897 or email Elke_Namola@ccpsnet.net for more information.

Dorothy L. Heffron

First elected to the Chesterfield County School Board in 2019, Dot Heffron is in her second term representing the Clover Hill District. 

She brings to the board her experience as a classroom teacher, having taught English at Providence Middle, and her perspective as a parent and community member.

Mrs. Heffron’s connection to Chesterfield County runs deep. She was raised in the Clover Hill District and graduated from Monacan High. Her children have attended the same schools she did (Gordon Elementary, Midlothian Middle and Monacan High). 

Mrs. Heffron earned her bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Virginia Commonwealth University. Having previously served as chair of the School Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee, Mrs. Heffron enjoys volunteering in her children’s schools and participating in community service with her family through her faith community.

She and her husband, Richard, have three children; their oldest has graduated and two attend Chesterfield County Public Schools.

Dot Heffron, Chair, Clover Hill District
dot_heffron@ccpsnet.net
804-543-9161

ann coker

First elected to the Chesterfield County School Board in 2019, Ann Coker is in her second term representing the Bermuda District.

She has worked at ITAC for more than 20 years, currently holding the position of director of project accounting and processes.

Mrs. Coker earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and psychology from Longwood University, where she graduated summa cum laude. She is a product of the Chesterfield County school system, having attended Enon Elementary, Chester Middle and Thomas Dale High.

She serves on the Board of Directors of the Chester YMCA. She has served as president and vice president of Enon Elementary’s PTO and has supported and led many committees. She has volunteered with the Boy Scouts and is an active member of her church, serving as lay reader.

Mrs. Coker and her husband, Jason, have four children; their oldest has graduated and three attend Chesterfield County Public Schools.

Ann C. Coker, Vice Chair, Bermuda District
ann_coker@ccpsnet.net
804-543-7407

dominique chatters

Elected to the Chesterfield County School Board in 2023, Dominique R. Chatters represents the Dale District.

A retired U.S. Army major whose service included two combat tours, she works as an educator and course director for the Defense Department’s Army Sustainment University and was named 2022 Instructor of the Year for the Army Logistics University.

Mrs. Chatters earned a bachelor’s degree from Morgan State University and a master’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University. Raised in New York, she has lived in Virginia since 2008.

Active in Chesterfield County Public Schools since 2016, Mrs. Chatters continues to be a bilingual voice in her community through her service in PTA leadership at Hopkins Elementary, Hening Elementary and Manchester Middle. She served as a coach for i9 Sports for basketball and volleyball. She is also a member of the Chesterfield Chapter of NAACP Education Committee.

Mrs. Chatters and her husband, Julius, have four children in Chesterfield County Public Schools.

Dominique R. Chatters, Dale District
dominique_chatters@ccpsnet.net
804-543-6780

DEBBIE G. BAILEY

Elected to the Chesterfield County School Board in 2023, Steven A. Paranto represents the Matoaca District.

Mr. Paranto has spent nearly 20 years in the logistics and supply chain industry. Before his civilian career and immediately following studies of theology and history at Asbury College, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps where he honorably served for eight years, which included a combat tour in Ramadi, Iraq.

Born in New Jersey, Mr. Paranto moved to Chesterfield County in 2007 and is an advocate for special education.

In the spring, he can be found coaching flag football for the Woolridge Wildcats. He and his family are proud supporters of the Special Olympics Virginia chapter.

Mr. Paranto and his wife, Kylene, have three children in Chesterfield County Public Schools.

Steven A. Paranto, Matoaca District
steven_paranto@ccpsnet.net
804-543-7992

lisa hudgins

Elected to the Chesterfield County School Board in 2023, Lisa Hudgins represents the Midlothian District.

Mrs. Hudgins was born and raised in Richmond and attended Henrico County Public Schools. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in English education from Virginia Commonwealth University.

She brings to the board her experience as an award-winning teacher, having taught English and journalism at Midlothian High and Hanover High. Mrs. Hudgins retired from teaching in 2022 and is now writing a book on soft skills in education.

Mrs. Hudgins volunteered in her children’s schools for more than 20 years, as a room parent, PTA officer and member of band, choral and football boosters. She has also served in numerous roles at her church over the years.

She and her husband, Mark, run Seal King RVA and have a blended family of seven children, three of whom graduated from Midlothian High.

Lisa Martin Hudgins, Midlothian District
lisa_hudgins@ccpsnet.net
804-543-7948