Gaston gets nod as new Charles City school superintendent

Charles City’s School Board announced the hiring of Dr. David S. Gaston as its new superintendent of schools beginning July 1.

The announcement came at a May 23 special meeting in front of an audience of 50 people, including teachers, students, and county employees.

“We are very thrilled with our selection,” said board chairwoman Helen Payne-Jones. “Our interview with him was just phenomenal.”

Gaston’s tenure in education spans 24 years in the school divisions of York, Hampton, and Williamsburg-James City County. With three degrees from the College of William & Mary, the incoming superintendent already seemed thrill about the tasks at hand.

“I am very honored and humbled,” Gaston said in front of the attentive audience. “My goal is to encourage, enhance, and share opportunities with administration, staff, parents, and the community.”

Gaston commented on a 100-day plan upon beginning his tenure, with the early phases focusing on building positive relationships.

“I maintain the belief that the most sustainable relationships are built from the ground up,” he said.

And that ground up mentality could sum up his path to the superintendent position. Gaston has served as a teacher, a principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, and has spent the last 10 years as the head of the Department of Accountability, Quality, and Innovation (AQI) in the Williamsburg-James City County school systems. There, he leads efforts to implement and measuring division strategic plans and the development of professional learning community, strategies he aims to bring to Charles City.

“Charles City definitely is a system with a good track record,” Gaston said. “There are a lot of things that need to be celebrated in the school system.

“This community is small and great, and what I plan to do is help it sustain growth,” he added.

While this is Gaston’s first run as a superintendent, he said the journey to the position is the pinnacle of his career and plans to share it with the community.

“In everything we do, it’s going to be about student achievement,” continued the incoming superintendent. “I understand that not all students are in the same place.

“Kids learn differently and my goal is to help them to learn so they are will be in a better position,” he added.

When asked about what message he wants to send to the community, Gaston commented on the joint commitment from himself, the schools, and the locality to make things work for all.

“I have a lot to learn from the community when it comes to expectations,” he said. “I want to take what they want and see what they think it takes to succeed.

“Overall, the goal is to give children positive growth,” Gaston added. “I want to give them incentive to know that students can learn and grow in Charles City schools and hope they can come back here to share it with the community.”

At-large school board member Preston Adkins voiced high praise after the reception on Gaston’s approach.

“He knew the situation of the schools going in and all he could talk about was seeing a gem in the rough,” said Adkins. “That really stood out to me.”

And Gaston also echoed that in a closing statement to the community.

“I want to bring out the positives about the schools and the many activities and programs so that this system will shine,” he concluded.

Gaston’s tenure begins July 1.