Dan River high school principal speaks out about decision to leave

By John Crane
Danville Register & Bee
Published: May 14, 2008

For Martin Ringstaff, leaving the Pittsylvania County school system was a tough decision.

He was content with his job as principal at Dan River High School and his wife, Heather, grew up in the Dan River area.

“It’s been a great place to work,” Ringstaff said of his eight-year stint at Dan River, including the last five years as principal. “That really made the decision harder because I wasn’t unhappy here.”

Ringstaff, 38, will resign June 30, and begin his new job as principal at Virginia High School in Bristol on July 1.

For Ringstaff, it will be a coming-home of sorts. Richlands, his hometown, is an hour’s drive from Bristol, where he attended college at Virginia Intermont College.

“I love the area,” Ringstaff said.

“It was just a good move for the family at the right time,” he added.

The Board of Education in Bristol selected Ringstaff as Virginia High School’s next principal at its regular meeting Monday, the Bristol Herald Courier reported Tuesday.

Ringstaff said he was attracted to the school’s International Baccalaureate and athletic programs.

Pittsylvania County Schools Superintendent James McDaniel said Ringstaff told him “a while back” he would be leaving and had confirmed his decision last week.

“We wish Mr. Ringstaff all the best,” McDaniel said.

The superintedent said the school system has posted Ringstaff’s position on its Web site and has put out fliers.

The Ringstaffs have three children — a 5-year-old son Colby and twin daughters Jayden and Jordan, who are 4.

During its regular meeting Tuesday night, the Pittsylvania County School Board promoted several district employees into administrative slots and hired new administrators from outside the district since several principals and employees of Pittsylvania County Schools are retiring this year. 

The following individuals were promoted or hired in the district:

Joyce Ferguson from assistant principal to principal of Stony Mill Elementary School

Angela Rigney from teacher at Tunstall Middle School to assistant principal at Chatham High School

Emily Stowe from assistant principal at Fieldale-Collinsville Middle School to assistant principal at Dan River High School

Stacey Oakes from teacher with Danville Public Schools to assistant principal at Gretna High School

Kathryn Lowry from assistant principal/testing director at Belfield Elementary School to assistant principal at Twin Springs Elementary School

Carter Lowry from teacher at Chatham Middle School to assistant principal at Stony Mill Elementary School

Joyce Wright from assistant principal at Kentuck Elementary School to principal at Mount Airy Elementary School

Maxine Diggs from principal at Mount Airy Elementary School to Pittsylvania County Schools’ supervisor of curricula specialty areas.