BECKLEY, W.Va. — Raleigh County school board members turned to a known quantity Monday when they chose Raleigh County Assistant School Superintendent David Price for the superintendent’s job. He’ll begin July 1.
“David brings a lot to the table in experience and leadership,” school board president Rick Snuffer told MetroNews. “He worked with the state Department of Education and he was a principal in Boone County. He knows all of the education ins and outs.”
Price has handled facilities and maintenance in Raleigh County along with some curriculum work. He was chosen over Raleigh Schools Director of Secondary Education Miller Hall following school board interviews Monday morning in Beckley.
Price will replace Superintendent Jim Brown. He has agreed to a three-year contract. Board president Snuffer said it’s important to get some consistency into the position.
“It’s critical. If you look at performance (of school systems) throughout the nation one of the biggest indications is the longevity of the superintendent’s position,” according to Snuffer.
Price will asked to provide leadership and oversee Raleigh County’s iPad initiative. The county also has a need for new facilities. A construction bond issue was recently defeated.
“Our long range plan is go away from paper, textbooks and go to a digital medium but in doing that we have to concentrate more on how we are going to bring our staff along with that also,” Snuffer said. “We’ve had some bumps in the road on that and we’re just hoping with David’s leadership we will iron those out and go back to them (the staff) and make sure they are part of the process.”