by Kate Evans
New Morgan County Schools Superintendent David Banks is settling into his new job that began July 1. Banks previously served as Morgan County Schools Superintendent for 10 years from 2007 until 2017.
Banks then worked in Berkeley County Schools for four years, first as Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and next as Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Instruction. Banks then took a position in Jefferson Country Schools in 2021 as Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Support.
Banks said he’s very happy to be back in Morgan County. One-half of things feel the same as when he left but the other half has changed a lot. Banks said they still see the impact of COVID everywhere.

Banks said that when superintendents come into a school system, they inherit a district that’s either moving in the right direction or the wrong direction.
Banks feels that Morgan County is moving in the right direction. Achievement is on its way up and attendance has improved.
Keeping good people
The biggest challenge is finding and keeping good people to work in the schools, he said. That’s hard when neighboring counties may pay $10,000-$15,000 more in salary if someone drives 10 minutes longer.
There are a variety of reasons why employees are leaving their positions, he said. Some people have spouses that are leaving their jobs and the family has to move. Others are leaving for higher paying jobs. Some are transferring to a position at another Morgan County school.
“We’re glad they’re staying in county,” Banks said.
Some service personnel are pursuing degrees and are becoming professional educators. Banks is glad to see it.
Hard to fill positions
Morgan County Schools is having a difficult time finding custodians, Banks said. They have two substitute bus drivers that report every day and they work every day. The transportation director and mechanic also do bus runs, which isn’t ideal.
Special education teachers continue to be hard to find, he said. Science, math and even English language arts teachers are the hardest to find. Speech pathologists, physical therapists and occupational therapists are always difficult to find.
They presently need 10 positions filled. However, it’s a challenge getting new people trained in initiatives, especially initiatives that began the previous year.
ARP (American Rescue Plan) pandemic funding has given good opportunities for staff professional development, Banks said. The money can only be spent on loss of instructional time. It’s the last year of ARP funding.
The school board approved the Instructional Empowerment group to work with the Berkeley Springs High School and Warm Springs Middle School on instruction for one year through coaching, professional development and classroom strategies.
High school and middle school kids are more likely to spend time on their phones and social media, Banks said.
Schools need to make instruction more challenging. Kids need to be engaged, in charge of their own learning and talking to their peers in small group collaboration, with some teacher-led instruction.
Elementary teachers already do small group instruction where students are paired in groups with similar needs, Banks said. Teachers use technology to help them manage the groups and their progress.
Professional development
Teachers graduate from college with a basic foundation of what they need to know, Banks said. They get to see what teaching is like through student teaching. Classroom management is now more of a focus in college.
Professional development fills in the gaps of what training is needed. Banks said school districts have to offer professional development for veteran teachers, new teachers and long-term substitutes alike. Banks would like to see training on the appropriate use of social media and train new staff on it.
Listening
Banks said that early on his job is to do a lot of listening to see what needs done in the school system. Once he spends time listening, he’ll know what else needs to be a priority. Banks plans to talk with parents, teachers, staff and central office personnel to see what’s needed.
Banks said that he wants to do a few things right and not jump in and change a lot of things.
Always about the kids
Banks said as before “It’s always about the kids.” He always considers what’s best for the kids in his decision-making. He noted that sometimes you have to make tough decisions.
Another area of focus is that Banks wants everyone to be open to feedback.
“It’s how we all get better,” he stressed.
Banks said it’s a weakness across all school districts. You have to coach people on how to give feedback. It’s about having good relationships and teaching adults how to give feedback and how to receive it in a positive way.
Banks said he always has positive intentions when he gives feedback. Sometimes people take feedback negatively and think they’re not appreciated.
“It’s an art and such an important part of continuous improvement,” Banks said.
Banks wants students to set goals for themselves. Adults already do that as part of their evaluation.
Mental health support
Banks acknowledged the mental health needs of students and said that the social workers the school system has in place are well trained in getting kids to self-regulate and get back to a good place. Sometimes they need outside assistance from doctors and agencies to help kids.
Social workers are a connection between school and home, he said.
“Once that trust is established, we can make progress,” Banks said.
Banks said he’s very concerned about kids and adults.
“It’s a different world than before,” he said. We never really know all the things someone is dealing with each day.
Banks wants to put a support system in place where principals and assistant principals are checking on adults in the school system to make sure they’re in a good place and central office staff is looking in on assistant principals and principals to make sure they’re doing okay.
Banks is also hoping to encourage more parent and guardian involvement and engagement. He said it’s great when parents attend school functions but they need parents to be actively involved in their child’s education. Their leadership academy is having a session on how to encourage parent engagement.
Banks said with COVID no one was allowed in school buildings but that it’s time to open up the buildings again. One of his goals is to have a day or partial day when parents and guardians can come to schools and see what their kid does everyday. Banks believes that would be beneficial.