FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – As Fayette County Schools Superintendent Gary Hough gets ready to retire, this July he is passing the torch to Summer’s County Superintendent David Warvel.
Warvel calls Hough a mentor, colleague, and good friend with big shoes to fill (45 years as an educator, five of those as Superintendent of Fayette County Schools).
“It’s very exciting. I love Fayette County; there’s a lot of good people — I’ve made some good working relationships with and I’m happy to be part of the school system now,” he said.
According to the newly hired superintendent, what’s nice about Fayette County Schools is their board and community of educators and parents who support the superintendent and work together to help the kids. He calls education a process.
“People don’t quite understand that children are not a product or a cog in the wheel. They’re a process,” Warvel said. “If you remember when you were a kid, you wanted someone to help you at your weakest moments and celebrate you at your highest moments. I had a lot of teachers and coaches support me as I grew up, and all I can do to repay — is pass it forward.”
Reflecting on his storied legacy as an educator, Gary Hough says being Superintendent of Fayette County Schools has been a wonderful opportunity. He cherishes interactions with former students.
“Whether it be at the barbershop or grocery store or in the hospital if you have a nurse or a doctor,” the superintendent said. “Watching those students who have done well in life is the greatest joy I have.”
The most challenging part of working with today’s kids is not the kids but all the surrounding influences, according to Warvel. He says if they don’t stop and disconnect from the 24/7 social media environment — children can get mired down with mental fatigue. Fayette County Schools has done a great job combatting that.
“With all the great counselors we have in the school systems to Communities in Schools, to CODA — great programs support the kids,” said the newly hired superintendent. “We have wraparound services that try to help the child’s wellbeing mentally as well as physically.”
The next step for Hough is to spend as much time as possible being a grandfather.
“Of course, I will assist with the transition from now until the time I leave with the new superintendent. And probably substitute teach a little bit a few days a week to stay busy,” he said. “I enjoy being around the children and in the school setting; I can’t quite ever give up the school.”
When a kid demonstrates perseverance it reminds Warvel of Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham.
“Seeing that a child finally was successful in something that felt like it wasn’t going to happen, they light up and even the family gets excited (we’ve) got to celebrate that,” said the newly hired superintendent. Little miracles people don’t understand will never be on a state test.”
According to Hough, a school superintendent is not always an easy role.
“So I want to be there as someone (Warvel) can count on or at least discuss something if he feels he needs to,” the superintendent said. “I won’t interfere, but we can have that kind of relationship.”
Hough says his successor will work on academics, and the new Midland Trail Elementary School facilities to be finished by next summer.
“He’ll have a whole year of that — construction is getting started now,” said the superintendent, of the two fields (baseball and softball). “Those are pretty big projects, by the time all of them are done about $28 million. David will take over that responsibility.”
Both Superintendent Hough and new Superintendent Warvel say we all have to do the best we can for the kids.
“When you sit in our roles, it’s great when I’m with kids,” Hough said. “I’m not gonna tell you every moment’s happy when I’m with kids, but when you’re dealing with tough decisions just keep the focus on the kids and everything else will be okay.”
