MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — After a time restrained interview process, it appears that Monongalia County Schools has its leader for the near future.
Dr. Eddie Campbell was the man chosen after a selection process that took approximately two to three months. Currently the superintendent of the Tucker County school system, Campbell has teaching experience all around the world having taught students in Virginia, Alaska and in China along with students in the Mountain State.
Monongalia County School Board Vice President Dr. Barbara Parsons feels that the board made a good decision.
“It, of course, was a lot of pressure to do so under the time limits that we considered, but we’re very satisfied with how it’s turned out,” said Parsons.
The Board of Education had hoped to announce a hire before a June 1 deadline. A hiring after would have limited the Board’s ability to offer a multi-year contract, Parsons said.
A native of Wheeling, Campbell started his education in the Mountain State, earning a bachelor’s from WVU in 1988. Afterwards, he received additional degrees from George Mason and the University of Virginia respectively. Campbell then taught in various parts of the country and in other countries, including China. Parsons felt that experience and his areas of expertise made the decision an easy one to make.
“His education is very much focused on the things that we need to focus on in Monongalia County,” she said on WAJR’s Morgantown AM. “That includes curriculum and instruction, and we’ve had a lot of building. We have some more renovations to do, those kind of things — things that Eddie is familiar with.”
Campbell won’t be the only new face that will be a part of the school board this coming year. Sarah Anderson and Melanie Baker Rogers will be joining the new superintendent after winning two of the three eligible seats on the board during this year’s primary election. All three are expected to go through the orientation process, which will be held by Dr. Frank Devono.
Devono’s retirement is effective at the end of June.
“The board itself gets involved with some coaching and helping the superintendent understand the culture of the community, some of the players, who people are, their roles,” she said.
Parsons herself will be among those retiring as well after serving on the board for 18 years.
“Our expectations is to go from where we are, further in the academic curriculum, further in maintaining our student achievements, and (Campbell) has brought to the table all of those,” she said.