Dr. Clay Stanley

By Jeffrey Westbrook

Altavista Journal

Dr. Clayton Stanley is no stranger to Campbell County or Campbell County Schools. The superintendent-designee has lived his whole life in the county and has worked all but his first four years in education at Campbell County Public Schools.

Dr. Robert Johnson, the current Superintendent, announced his retirement earlier this year, to be effective July 1. At that point he will hand the baton off to his successor and current Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Dr. Clayton Stanley.

Stanley earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Science from Radford University (class of 1991), and his Master of Education and Doctor of Education degrees from the University of Lynchburg.

He spent four years teaching in Lynchburg City Schools before returning to Campbell County Schools with a three-year stint teaching at Rustburg High School. By then he had earned his master’s degree and embarked on the administration track with four years at William Campbell High School as assistant principal.

Next, Stanley spent nine years as principal of Altavista Colonel Country, leading Number One Colonel Country from 2002 to 2011. From there, he returned to Rustburg High School for four years as principal of the Red Devils.

In 2017, Stanley transferred to the district administrative offices, where her served as Director of Personnel for a year before taking on his current role as Assistant Superintendent.

As he prepares to transition to the Superintendent’s office, Stanley recognizes that his experience around the district has proven beneficial in preparing him for this new role. “I’ve been fortunate to work in three of the four attendance zones in Campbell County, working in various roles including teacher, assistant principal, and principal, as well as gained valuable experience working as part of our central office administrative team,” he pointed out.

“My experiences have allowed me to work with so many people over the years and develop great relationships throughout the county. Each of my experiences allowed me to grow while shaping my perspective on good leadership. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that Campbell County Schools is full of great people who work extremely hard to provide a great educational experience for our students, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Some of the top issues upon which the district under Stanley’s leadership will focus include safety, students’ academic and social needs, and maximized learning opportunities for students, whether they are on the college or career track. Reading fluency and comprehension and math skills also remain in the spotlight.

Stanley also prioritizes partnership between school personnel and parents. “I want our parents to feel like they can discuss concerns regarding what we are teaching or other social issues with their child’s teachers, administrators, or central office staff. The adults in the lives of our students need to work together to provide the best educational experience possible. This partnership impacts student attendance, motivation, and overall success,” he commented.

Dr. Stanley and his wife Monica have been married for 24 years and are the parents of three children: Jackson, Alice, and Josie.

“I’m grateful to the Campbell County School Board and consider the appointment to be an honor,” he stated.