WINFIELD, W.Va. — Several Putnam County students ran into a new face when they arrived at school for their first day today. John Hudson, the new Putnam County Superintendent, visited several schools on the first day back.
“I was out and about and actually have been out over the last few days meeting various students,” Hudson said.
Among the first students he met in his new postiion were members of Hurricane High School’s Red Hot Choir. He also spent time at several elemetnary schools in the county observing and famliarizing himself with each location.
“My impressions are the parents are passionate and appreciative of the education their children receive in Putnam County,” Hudson said. “The community support is amazing, you can see it from every part of the county and that’s great to know.”
Hudson said he steps into a school system in excellent shape in all facets. The schools are physically up to date, the county’s finances are in order, teachers are qualified, and the curriculum is strong. He credited much of that to his predecessor Chuck Hatfield and said his mission is to continue that record and strengthen it where possible. Although Hudson admitted, there weren’t many things which jumped out to him in need of improvement.
“You know there’s nothing immediately that jumps out, but over the next several months we’ll be looking,” he said. “Now I know obviously you want to focus on professional development and instructional leadership and providing opportunities for students.”
He suggested perhaps an expansion of Advanced Placement course offerings and possibly widening the degrees offered at the county’s Career and Technical School.