BY MICAH FLEET
Rockbridge County School Superintendent John Reynolds told the Rockbridge Report on Tuesday that he would be retiring after his term ends in December.
Reynolds said in a studio interview that it’s time to retire.
“I think 38 years is enough,” he said of his career as classroom teacher, assistant administrator and, for the past six years, Rockbridge County school superintendent.
Reynolds, 61, who was born in Clifton Forge, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in education, both from Virginia Tech. His first teaching job was in Covington,and then he went on to teach in Alleghany County until the mid-80s.
Reynolds was principal at Rockbridge County High School from 1985 to 1988. He then took a position in the finance department of the school board before becoming superintendent in 2007.
Reynolds has handled his fair share of change as superintendent:
- The closing of Effinger Elementary and its consolidation with Central.
- The closing of Rockbridge County Middle school and its consolidation with Maury River Middle School, currently undergoing a $20-million renovation to accommodate the additional students this fall.
- Guiding the district through the last few years of economic recession, which squeezed school funding and dampened job prospects for high school graduates.
Reynolds said he hasn’t thought about his plans after retirement yet, but did say he planned on staying in Rockbridge County.