THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 28, 1996 TAG: 9608280594
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BARCO LENGTH: 45 lines
A former U.S. Navy pilot-turned-educator was named principal of Currituck County High School on Tuesday.
David B. Sutton will replace Rich Wardle, who this summer announced he was stepping down to spend more time with his family. He is expected to seek another administrative post within the school system.
Wardle will assist Sutton during the next few weeks to ensure a smooth transition at the high school. Sutton was on the job Tuesday to begin his orientation.
``It's extremely exciting to be working here. I see this as a tremendous opportunity for me and my family,'' he said.
Sutton's wife, Carole, is a social worker in Newport News. They have two children, 13-year-old Jim and Kathryn, 10.
The family will relocate from Gloucester, Va., where Sutton served as an assistant principal of the Middle Peninsula Regional Alternative School and taught upper-level mathematics.
Gloucester's school system is similar to Currituck's in terms of growth patterns, with the Virginia city about 10 years ahead of Currituck, Sutton said.
The new Currituck principal earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles and a master's in management and business administration from Webster University in St. Louis.
He earned a teaching certificate from Old Dominion University and is pursuing his doctorate in education at The George Washington University.
Before becoming an educator, Sutton served as a pilot in the U.S. Navy and flew the E-2C Hawkeye and the F-4J Phantom II. He recently retired from the U.S. Naval Reserves as a commander.
A former Eagle Scout, Sutton is an assistant Scoutmaster and youth baseball coach.
Sutton, 46, enjoys restoring antique cars and traveling in his spare time.
``Dave Sutton stood out as an administrative candidate because of his background working with students of the highest ability, as well as those at risk of failure in the school setting,'' said Currituck Schools Superintendent Ronnie Capps.
``He has command experience but exhibits an empathy for students and staff that will serve him well in the demanding environment of a high school,'' Capps added. by CNB