PHOTO BY DANNY SNYDER / Times West Virginian
Superintendent
of the Year
Phares
honored by his peers during annual conference
By Katie Wilson
Times West Virginian
FAIRMONT —
Marion County Superintendent of Schools James Phares is being
honored for his passion for education.
Last week, the West Virginia Association of School Administrators
named him “Superintendent of the Year.”
Phares received the news at the organization’s annual conference at
Stonewall Jackson Resort.
Phares said he doesn’t know who nominated him, however, recieving
the honor at the state level nominates him for the national
“Superintendent of the Year.” The winner of the national honor will
be announced in February.
While unexpected, the honor is appreciated by the nine-year
superintendent’s office veteran.
“It’s an honor to be honored by your peers,” Phares said. “It’s
indicative of the special people around me.”
Phares said he’s been surrounded by good people throughout his
career. From superintendents who encouraged him to this career, like
former Greenbrier County Superintendent Steve Baldwin and former
Tucker County Superintendent Mary Alice Kline, to the folks right
here in Marion County.
“I give the credit to the Central Office staff, principals and
teachers,” Phares said. “We have fine educators here.”
Having competent people around certainly helps get the job done.
Sitting at the superintendent’s desk can be a difficult and
stressful job. Phares said it’s really a 24/7 kind of job. Issues
can crop up at anytime of day, whether it’s canceling classes
because of bad roads, security issues or fielding requests from the
media.
“With a school district this size, you have to be able to delegate
responsiblility,” Phares said. “The people here are very competent
in their performance.
Making the job
somewhat more difficult, Phares resides here in Fairmont, while his
wife remains at the family home in Elkins.
Phares said the average career length for a superintendent is 2.8
years. He’s lasted nine.
“I absolutely love what I do,” he said. “I have a passion for being
an educator.”
Phares has been the head of Marion County schools since July 2003.
Originally from Elkins, Phares served as the superintendent in
Pocahontas County from 1998 until 1993. He replaced Thomas Long who
came to Marion County to be superintendent. At that time, Long went
to Pleasants County to become superintendent.
Phares received his undergraduate degree from West Virginia
University in 1974 and his master’s degree from Lynchburg College in
1991. He earned his doctorate in education administration from
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1995.
Prior to being named the superintendent in Pocahontas County Phares
worked in Virginia as principal of Staunton River High School for
three years and principal of Staunton River Middle School for four
years.
From 1991-1998, he served as an adjunct professor at Lynchburg
College. He was a history, geography, American studies and social
studies teacher at Staunton River High School from 1976-1989. He
also coached basketball, football and tennis there. From 1974-1976,
he was an elementary teacher at Thaxton Elementary School.
