Press "Enter" to skip to content

Letter: A tribute to Harry Ward, school system builder

Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Last week a funeral was held for Harry M. Ward; former teacher, Principal and Superintendent in Mathews County. As a former school counselor at Mathews High and a present member of the Mathews School Board, I am thankful that during his tenure as Superintendent, Mr. Ward was both willing and able to “step up to the plate” and advocate unrelentingly for this school division.

As Superintendent, Mr. Ward was able to achieve what very few superintendents accomplish in a short period of time; that is not one but three (3) Capital Improvement Projects. I would dare say that this is unheard of in small rural communities. As I consider this accomplishment it is apparent to me that Mr. Ward had an uncanny and exceptional political gift for understanding this community and what they were willing to support and fund.

His first capital improvement project was the building of Mathews Elementary School (formerly known as Lee-Jackson). The old school was in terrible...

To view the rest of this article, you must log in. If you do not have an account with us, please subscribe here.