Dinwiddie County Public Schools

School Board Home

The Dinwiddie County School Board provides governance, leadership, and oversight for Dinwiddie County Public Schools, working to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality educational experience that prepares them for success in school, career, and life. As the governing body of the school division, the School Board establishes policies, adopts the annual budget, approves the division’s strategic direction, and oversees instructional programs, facilities, personnel, and division operations. Board members serve as a vital link between the school division and the community, representing the interests of students, families, staff, and citizens while advocating for the resources and opportunities necessary for student success. In partnership with the Superintendent, the School Board sets the division's vision and expectations while entrusting the Superintendent and staff with the day-to-day administration of the schools. Through responsible governance, thoughtful decision-making, and a commitment to continuous improvement, the Dinwiddie County School Board advances the division’s mission of nurturing confident, compassionate learners prepared for life beyond graduation.

All Dinwiddie School Board meeting dates, information, minutes, and policies are posted on BoardDocs. The School Board meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Pamplin Administration Building unless special arrangements by the Board has been made. We encourage and welcome the public to attend all open session meetings.

Meet our Board Members

Dr. Elaine J. Pearson
(804) 712-6446
epearson@dcpsnet.org

Dr. Margaret “Elaine” Pearson joined the Board in 2024 and grew up in Waverly, Virginia. She attended public school in Sussex County, graduating in the final class of Waverly High School in 1970. She married F. Edward Pearson, II in 1981, and they have one son and one daughter.

She attended Longwood College (now University), graduating in 1974 with a B.S. in Education with a major in History and a minor in Government. She returned to Longwood, where she received her M.S. in Education (Administration and Supervision) in 1980. In 2004, Elaine joined Cohort II in the Doctoral Program at Virginia State University, graduating in 2008 with her ED.D. in Educational Leadership.

Elaine spent 34 years in public education in Henrico, Powhatan, and Surry Counties. During this time, she taught grades 7-12 in all social studies areas, computer literacy, and gifted and talented classes, for which she was the coordinator at both the high school and middle school levels. She served as Department Chairperson for the Social Studies Department at Powhatan High School and Chairperson for the School Review. While at Hermitage High School, she sponsored the cheerleading squad and was assistant girls’ gymnastics coach. She served as Assistant Principal at Surry County High School and Principal at L.P. Jackson Middle School.

The top achievement of her administrative career came in her final term as Principal at L. P. Jackson Middle School when the State of Virginia released School Reports in the fall for the Spring SOL Testing, and for the first time in school history, the middle school was fully accredited.

After her retirement, she moved to a farm in Dinwiddie County. Elaine enjoys attending Masonic/Shrine activities with her husband, serving as Secretary/Treasurer and Adult Sunday School teacher at her church, and leading Bible Study at another church in her community. She spends her leisure time reading, crafting, and tending to her various animals.
Dwayne G. Walker, Chair
(804) 986-6195
dwwalker@dcpsnet.org

Dwayne G. Walker was elected to the School Board in 2024. Reverend Walker is a lifelong and 4th generation resident of Dinwiddie County where he graduated from DCPS in 1997. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Liberty University in 2001. He also holds an MBA from Longwood University. He has ministered for more than 20 years at the North Dinwiddie Church where he currently serves as the Lead Pastor. He and his wife Christi oversee the Kids First Christian Preschool and Childcare that provides services to over 100 children from our community, including many who attend our public schools. He and Christi have a daughter- Cassi, and two sons- Cameron and Christian, all of whom attend Dinwiddie County Schools. Reverend Walker is the Girls Tennis Coach at DHS, a chaplain for the Fishers of Men Tournament Trail (VA EAST division), and serves on the board of directors for a number of other community organizations. He lives by the motto derived from the Gospel of Matthew, “Love God and Love People”.
Barbara T. Pittman, Vice Chair
(804) 861-8501
bpittman@dcpsnet.org

Barbara T. Pittman began her term on the Dinwiddie County School Board in 2012. She is a retired educator with 38 years of service to Dinwiddie County in the capacity of teaching, coaching, guidance counselor, and administration. She served as Principal of both Dinwiddie Middle School and Dinwiddie High School before retiring in 2010. She also serves as a Board Member to Code RVA and Appomattox Regional Governors School.

Ms. Pittman earned her undergraduate degree at Longwood College, a Masters Degree at Virginia State University, and an administrative endorsement at VCU. She is active in the community by serving on the Chamber of Commerce, the Dinwiddie Christmas Sharing Foundation, The Teen Expo Committee, and the Board of Directors of Carson United Methodist Church.

Barbara Pittman is the grandmother of two beautiful girls who are employed by Dinwiddie County Public Schools. Encompass Learning Center was renamed in honor of her son and former educator, W. Bryan Pittman, and his service to the students in Dinwiddie County. She is a strong believer in public education and making sure our graduates are ready for post-secondary education, work or the Armed Forces.
Mary M. Benjamin
(434) 246-4820
mbenjamin@dcpsnet.org

Mary Mabry Benjamin is a native of Dinwiddie County, Virginia, a graduate of Southside High School, Virginia State College (now University) where she received a B.S. Degree in Food and Nutrition, and the University of Phoenix where she received a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management. In 2005, she retired from the Philadelphia School District with 35 years of service.

Prior to being elected to the Dinwiddie County School Board in 2015, Mrs Benjamin served on its Electoral Board. Her service to the community is further demonstrated through her involvement as a member of the Board of Trustees at the Appomattox Regional Library and a host of other civic and community organizations.

She is an active member of Little Bethel Baptist Church; but most of all, she is the proud mother of two children, Edwin (Dr. Shanna) and Traci, and grandmother to Chloe and Spencer.
Jason L. Brown, II
(804) 481-9538
jbrown@dcpsnet.org

Jason L. Brown, II was elected to the School Board in 2024. He was a part of the first class to attend Sutherland Elementary and is a graduate of the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School (Class of 2019). He was a technology major at the Governor School and graduated from Brightpoint Community College.

As a teenager, Mr. Brown was a participant in Dinwiddie County’s Youth Workforce Development Program. At that age, he expressed interest in government and politics, and for two years in that program he interned with Dinwiddie County Administration and the Crater Planning District Commission. He is now one of the youngest elected officials in Dinwiddie County history. He is extensively involved in political advocacy and is a firm believer in community power. Mr. Brown leads under the philosophy that a strong school system is the natural result of putting power into the hands of students, teachers, and families. One fun fact about Mr. Brown is that he studied a total of five languages in high school and college: Spanish, Latin, Chinese, American Sign Language, and Russian.