School Board accepts Rea’s resignation

At its regular work session Monday, the Culpeper County School Board voted to accept the resignation of a former Culpeper County High School assistant football coach effective Nov. 1.

Frank "Chip" Rea, 32, submitted his resignation late last month after he pleaded guilty to two felony drug charges in Fauquier County Circuit Court Oct. 22.

Earlier this month, a Freedom of Information Act request revealed that CCPS began depositing Rea's monthly salary into an interest-bearing escrow account in October, pending the outcome of his trial.

Because he has pleaded guilty, that money will now return to the School Board, according to state code.

Since the beginning of this school year, Rea has been suspended from his position as a physical education teacher at CCHS. However, his contract called for him to received money through August for work rendered during the 2006-07 school year. Even though teachers work from August to June, most receive a 12-month salary from September to August.

According to CCPS spokeswoman Marla McKenna, Rea's teaching salary was $37,042 for the 2006-07 school year plus a $3,240 stipend for coaching.

According to the Virginia code, any state employee charged with a drug-related crime must be immediately placed on suspension awaiting the legal outcome.

If "such conviction is upheld," the code states, "all funds in the escrow account shall be repaid to the School Board."

Rea is scheduled to appear in Fauquier County Circuit Court Jan. 24 at 8:30 a.m. for sentencing.

Background
In June, Fauquier County sheriff's deputies and the Blue Ridge Narcotics Task Force raided Rea's Sumerduck residence in the 5400 block of Courtney's Corner Road, seizing cocaine, marijuana, guns and evidence of paraphernalia commonly used in the distribution of illegal substances.

At that time, Rea was arrested on charges of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm while possessing drugs.

A few months later, Rea entered a plea bargain with Fauquier County Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Amy Harper, reducing his intent to distribute cocaine charges to possession. The gun charges were dropped.

Rea is serving six months of supervised probation on separate assault charges against two women for incidents that also happened this summer. After that, he faces six more months of unsupervised probation.

Prior to Culpeper, Rea worked at Liberty High School in Bealeton as a football coach and special education teacher.

Before his legal troubles, Rea signed a continuing contract in May to return as a physical education teacher and coach for the 2007-08 school year. If he had, his salary would have been $41,990 plus the coaching supplement, according to McKenna.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or

Timeline of events
May: Frank "Chip" Rea signs second-year contract with Culpeper County Public Schools

June 15: Arrested on charges of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and gun possession

June 28: Arrested on two assault and battery charges

Aug. 9: Gun charges dismissed; assault and battery charges reduced in plea bargain

Oct. 9: CCPS deposits Rea's September salary of $2,467.69 into an escrow account pending legal outcome

Oct. 22: Pleads guilty to both drug charges in Fauquier County District Court

Late October: Resigns from teaching position at Culpeper County High School

Nov. 26: CCPS School Board accepts Rea's resignation

Jan. 28, 2008: Sentencing scheduled