Following the announcement of Superintendent James McDaniel’s retirement effective June 30, 2015, the administration of Tunstall High School reacts.

“Mr. McDaniel and I have had a very close relationship since he was the principal at Chatham High School and I was a teacher there,” says Mrs. Barbara Brown. “He has been very supportive when I was the assistant principal and later became the principal of Tunstall High School. I have always found him to be very approachable and very progressive. He has taken Pittsylvania County to another level in the interest of the students. He will truly be missed by the student body and teachers throughout the community.”

Senior Hunter Liles serves as the student representative to the School Board and has recently grown to know Mr. McDaniel.  “As much as I will miss Mr. McDaniel, I am very glad that he will have the opportunity to have a long and happy retirement. I believe that he is a great asset to our school system and a great voice for the students to have on their side.”

Liles adds, “He will be greatly missed and whoever steps into his position will have big shoes to fill.”

Citing the “calling of my faith” as one of many reasons for his retirement, Mr. McDaniel is likely to be more active at Shermont Baptist Church where he is currently a Sunday School teacher.

Sophomore and member of Shermont Baptist Church, Holly Satterfield comments, “He’s a really loving person. He overlooks everyone’s flaws, he’s always smiling and a very giving person. He’s great.”

“He’s very Christian; he’s extremely sweet,” says junior Devin Motely, also a member of Shermont.

The following press release was sent at 8:45 am:

Chatham, Virginia – Pittsylvania County Schools Superintendent, James McDaniel, will retire effective June 30, 2015. He has served as Superintendent since July, 2003, and is retiring after 41 years of service in Danville and Pittsylvania County.

Mr. McDaniel has released the following statement regarding the news of his retirement:

“May I begin by saying what an honor and privilege it has been to serve these past 12 years as Division Superintendent for Pittsylvania County Schools. God has richly blessed my life by allowing me to work side-by-side with some truly exceptional people.

It is worth noting that the School Board has generously offered a three-year extension to my current agreement. However, today, I am announcing my retirement, after 41 years of service, effective June 30, 2015.

While I have enjoyed my time in Pittsylvania County, I hear more and more clearly each day the calling of my faith, my family and my friends. Also, there are new journeys ahead with endless possibilities worth exploring.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the School Board for their vote of confidence and support and for allowing me to become a member of this team in 1996. Pittsylvania County Schools, under the leadership of the School Board, has attained Statewide recognition as a quality educational institution.

I am thankful for the opportunity and proud to be part of the team that helped increase student achievement in this division. Our administrators have provided leadership and the teachers and support staff have been professional, positive and eager to help our students experience every success. What fun and such joy it has been to work with this talented and dedicated team of professionals.

During my time in Pittsylvania County Schools, I have been blessed to witness the intellectual, physical, social, emotional and spiritual growth and development of our students. It has been most rewarding to witness their acquisition and application of the 21^st Century college and career readiness skills necessary to be successful in an ever-shrinking, highly competitive world.

Our vision is to be recognized as having an innovative, challenging and exemplary school system. Our students, by pursuing a more rigorous course of study, have helped Pittsylvania County Schools achieve this goal. Likewise, it has helped to accomplish our mission of educating and nurturing students to be successful and productive citizens.

Thank you again to the School Board and to the citizens of this community for allowing me to serve the students and staff of this superb school division. It is my hope and prayer that in some small way we have helped to make Pittsylvania County Schools A Great Place to Learn and Work!”