Education Leaders Take Action After Pritt Arrested, Charged For Enticing A Minor

State Superintendent Michele Blatt announced Thursday afternoon that she was suspending David Elliott Pritt’s teaching certification. Pritt is a teacher at Oak Hill High School and serves as a state delegate representing House District 50 in Fayette County. 

Pritt was arrested and charged via criminal complaint of “enticement of a minor” Wednesday in the Southern District of West Virginia. He is accused of soliciting a student for explicit images before escalating to physical contact in his classroom. 

“Teachers hold a position of public trust in the school systems in which they teach and the communities that they serve,” Blatt said. “The allegation that Mr. Pritt engaged in enticement of a minor attending Fayette County Schools, the county in which Mr. Pritt was a teacher, is shocking and disturbing.” 

The superintendent’s statement says she is required by law to automatically revoke Pritt’s certification if he is ultimately convicted or pleads guilty, and that her office will therefore continue to monitor the case. 

“Our deepest concerns lie with the student who is alleged to have been enticed and abused by Mr. Pritt,” Blatt said. 

Blatt also expressed her support for Fayette County School Superintendent David Warvel in suspending Pritt without pay and vowed “the West Virginia Department of Education will support the Fayette County education community during this difficult time.” 

Blatt’s action mirrors those taken by Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, to remove Pritt from all official roles connected with his service as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates. Hanshaw also called on Pritt to resign. 

Pritt had an initial appearance before a magistrate Wednesday, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled Monday, July 27 in Charleston.