The Shadow
WARM SPRINGS – The Bath County School Board has completed its search for a new superintendent, and they didn’t go far to find Dr. David Smith’s successor.
Sue Hirsh, a long-time employee of Bath County Public Schools, was named superintendent Monday night during a called meeting of the Bath County School Board.
Hirsh will serve as interim superintendent from May 1 until June 30.
She will then become superintendent of Bath County Public Schools for a four-year term beginning July 1 and continuing through June 30, 2014.
Her appointment was unanimously approved by a 5-0 vote.
“We were very fortunate to have so many extremely well-qualified candidates apply,” said Eddie Ryder, chairman of the Bath County School Board, adding that the board considered 15 candidates for the position.
“After a lengthy process to select the right candidate for Bath County Public Schools, the board has appointed a person whom I think is most qualified to be the educational leader for our children.”
Hirsh, 60, has worked in Bath County Public Schools for 32 years, beginning her career in 1978. She started as a teacher at Valley Elementary School where she taught grades six and seven before serving one year as assistant principal at Valley.
She then served at the central office as the elementary supervisor for 10 years before returning to Valley as principal, a post she held for seven years.
Since 2002, Hirsh has worked as director of instruction and personnel in the central office.
Hirsh attended the University of Denver before graduating from Mary Baldwin in Staunton where she earned her undergraduate degree in art history and completed her teacher licensure requirements.
Born in Washington, D.C., Hirsh has lived in Bath County since 1974.
Before beginning her career in education, she worked with her husband, Doug, at Bacova Guild.
She received her master’s degree in 1984 from James Madison University in school administration.
As a child, Hirsh lived in various locations throughout the country.
Her father, a career Army officer, was stationed at Ft. Belvoir when she was born. At age 10, Hirsh’s father retired from the military, and the family settled in the northern California area of Marin County near San Francisco.
Hirsh finished her high school career, graduating from the Branson School in Ross, Calif. She met her husband at the University of Denver.
Doug has also been employed in the hospitality industry and in real estate. His work now takes him all over the country. He has publicly served the Bath County community as a two-term member of the board of supervisors.
He has also served on the planning commission.
The Hirshes have two children, Middleton, 36, who lives and works in the Blacksburg area, and Courtney, 30, who lives and works in San Diego.
The family attends St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Hot Springs.
“With 32 years of experience in Bath County, I think I know the school system very well, and I think that given the economic challenges in front of us we’re going to have to take a look at how we operate and how we need to operate in order to provide quality instruction for our children,” she said.
“I look forward to working with the citizens of Bath County and the school community to meet those challenges,” Hirsh added.
Hirsh succeeds Dr. Smith, who is leaving Bath County on April 30 to assume the superintendent’s post in Prince Edward County.
“I think Mrs. Hirsh’s appointment is an excellent decision,” Dr. Smith said. “She has a solid track record of educational leadership in Bath County schools over many years, and I’m confident she will serve well in her new role as superintendent.”
Hirsh’s contract with the Bath County School Board calls for her to earn $87,000 annually.
In other action Monday night following a closed meeting and budget work session, the Bath County School Board:
– restored the computer lab manager position at Valley Elementary School;
– restored aides to 200-day contracts;
– restored the guidance secretary position at Bath County High School by a 4-1 vote with Joyce Hevener dissenting;
– restored the assistant principal’s position at Bath County High School on a 10 1/2-month contract with the possibility of up to 50 percent of the day in instructional assignments as needed;
– approved students paying the initial tuition for dual enrollment courses with the division to reimburse students at 50 percent for a passing grade of C or above;
– adopted an amended budget with the changes enacted during the meeting.
