Mathews County Public Schools has a new superintendent.
Dr. David S. Daniel, a longtime educator in Gloucester County who has been with West Point Public Schools since 2011, was named Tuesday night to succeed Nancy Welch in the division’s top job. His contract will begin July 1.
Daniel’s 27 years in education include stints as principal and assistant principal at Page Middle School, and assistant principal at Abingdon and Achilles elementary schools. He began his career teaching social studies at Gloucester High School in 1996. During his time at GHS, Daniel also served as a cross country and soccer coach.
In 2011, he became principal of West Point Middle School, a position he held until 2016, when he was named Director of Innovation and Technical Integration for the West Point district. In 2021, he was called back as principal of West Point Middle/High School.
“I leave you in great hands. Well done,” Welch told board members, after the appointment was announced following a closed session at the conclusion of Tuesday’s Mathews County School Board meeting in the Mathews High School media center.
“We had exceptional candidates, exceptional,” said school board member Linda Hodges, who went on to thank school board vice chairman John Priest for his work in heading up the superintendent search process.
Welch is retiring in September after a 28-year career in Mathews schools. She announced her intent to step down in January, and Tuesday’s appointment culminates a four-month search process.
Daniel earned a Doctor of Education and Policy Studies degree from Virginia Tech, graduating in 2016. He also holds an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from George Washington University, a Master of Arts in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia, Tech and a bachelor’s degree in history, also from Virginia Tech.
“Effective planning, communication and relationship building are the foundational values upon which my 27 years in education have been built,” Daniel wrote in his resume cover letter to the school board. “I believe these values, coupled with my administrative experience at elementary, middle, high school and division levels have equipped me with the skills necessary to successfully lead Mathews County Public Schools as its next superintendent.”
In that letter, he pointed to his work at West Point in expanding partnerships with Rappahannock Community College, neighboring school divisions and regional industries to expand Dual Enrollment and CTE courses for his students. “Additionally, I applied for and obtained grant funding to lead an overhaul of our curricula, expand access to technology in our classrooms, and upgrade the safety and security of our schools.”
A meet-and-greet reception for Daniel will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, at the MHS media center, prior to the monthly board meeting.