Green Bank School Principal Leaving For Another Job

Green Bank, WV – After 27 years of service for the Green Bank school, Principal Ruth Bland has decided it’s time to move on. But not to worry, she’s not going very far away, and will still be involved with kids, just in a different way.

“I will be assuming the position of Director of Special Education/Student Support Services at [the] Pocahontas County Board of Education office” says Bland. “It is the management of the special education program county wide with the collection of the individual education plans, and ensuring that children are getting the services they need as dictated on their individual education plans.”

She explains why she’s making the change now.

“I think I can lend my services to the children of the whole community” says Bland. “Dunmore/Green Bank is my home, but I want to be able to see that all children get the same opportunities county-wide. I’m getting a little older, I’m slowing down a bit; my daughter is a senior in high school this year, that’s my baby.”

“And I have one married and one graduating from college in December so it was time to do a change a little bit just for myself. My career was not only focused as a mission in education to the students, but I also wanted to serve, make sure my own children had the best.”

Bland says she has a lot of very fond memories of her time at Green Bank. She also remembers some very challenging times, like the building she worked in prior to the 1985 flood.

“Before that I was in a mobile classroom that looked like a Winnebago camper parked out back” she says. “It was beside the old cafeteria of the old school. The first winter I was here it got to 32 below zero on a number of occasions and we were coming to school at 10 below zero, 15 below zero, and I wore a snowmobile suit in that mobile classroom because it was forced air heat from the ceiling. Your feet got very, very cold (laughing).”

She says she’s grateful that county voters passed bond issues following the ’85 flood that allowed for the construction of new school facilities.

“We are not actually outgrowing, but our curriculum is changing and we’re going to need to look at our buildings to see about some reconfigurations” she says. “I’m also continuing as the county technology coordinator. The Tools for Schools program which is an allotment that comes from the legislature from the lottery money, will upgrade the systems at both Pocahontas County HS and Green Bank; last year was Hillsboro [Elementary], Marlinton Elementary and Marlinton Middle.”

She says she’s looking forward to her new position, but at the same time, thankful for her time at Green Bank.

“I’m just so very proud of this school, it’s just such a good school” says Bland. “The students are good kids. Now of course you know we have issues, everybody does, but the kids here are really good kids, and the staff is just phenomenal to work with. It’s going to be hard walking away from it.”

Interviews for the Principal position at Green Bank were expected to be held on August 26th.