Highland County Public Schools

MONTEREY — While Dr. James “Nick” Nycum will continue to live with his wife and four children in Buffalo Gap, the new superintendent of Highland County Public Schools is no stranger to Highland.

“I’ve been coming over here my whole life. I love it,” Nycum said, explaining that his grandparents lived in the county and other relatives still own property here.

“This is really the only school system that I searched to be a superintendent in,” Nycum said. “I was happy in Augusta County.”

Most recently, Nycum was the director of transportation for Augusta County Public Schools. Prior to that, he was principal of Stuarts Draft High School and Craigsville Elementary School. He began his education career as a P.E. teacher.

“I felt like I was wanting a new challenge, and this position came open and it felt right,” Nycum said.

In addition to his family ties, Nycum said he enjoys the beauty and activities Highland offers. “I always come to all the festivals,” he said.

But the small size of the schools was the biggest draw.

“You look at the numbers in the school system, about 200, and you can really make a difference in a small community like this,” Nycum said.

He said the size is comparable to Craigsville Elementary, where parents and the community were very involved. He expects similar dedication here and said he has already received a warm welcome. “Everyone is wanting to support the schools,” he said.

For now, Nycum is focused on getting to know his staff and students, and how the school functions, before he considers any changes. “My main focus is just getting the pulse of the building,” he said.

“My philosophy is building relations, being a coach, being a team player, being visible,” he added.

Nycum said he is aware of the many additional roles a superintendent is called to fill in HCPS.

“I understood that coming into it. The (school) board was very honest with me,” he said. “As a high school principal, you kind of wear all these hats, too.”

In addition to meeting with school staff, Nycum plans to attend county government meetings and get to know local civic organizations.

“It’s a small school division, so I feel like everybody needs to be involved,” Nycum said. “I’m very open, honest, and transparent … We’re all in it together for the kids. I’m always going to be making decisions on what I feel is best for the kids … I’m never one to come in and rock the boat right from the start. You’ve got to live it and learn it, and then you can make the changes.”

Nycum will take some time to read the school’s policy manual and other documents before continuing the work of revisions. “Policy is everything,” he said.

He plans to meet with technology director Gary Lane, special education director Lynn Leardi, high school principal Tim Good, elementary principal Tim Johnson, and his administrative assistant Tabitha Ulmer at least monthly, about two weeks prior to school board meetings, to discuss concerns and ideas while crafting the agenda for the meetings.

Nycum does not plan to move his children to HCPS, which he acknowledged might lead to some questions. But he said his family is well established in Buffalo Gap and his children are happy in their current schools. “Maybe if they were younger, but they’re already on sports teams and clubs,” he said, adding that it would be hard to pull them away from their friendships.

Nycum plans to emphasize the Virginia Department of Education’s 3Es plan to prepare graduates to enroll in higher education, enlist in military service, or find employment right out of high school.

“Public education is so important to give all the kids an opportunity,” Nycum said. As a high school principal, he worked to bring local industry leaders into the schools so students could learn about careers, and he hopes to do that in Highland as well.

“They can be very successful if you just give them the tools to succeed,” Nycum said. He said the schools will focus on academic achievement in the core subjects as well as the whole person.

“I’m a big hands-on learner,” Nycum said. “I think we need to focus on core values and building strong character and morals.

“We’re building strong women and strong men to be leaders,” he continued. “It’s really developing the whole child. You’re developing the whole child and I’m really passionate about that.”

To that end, Nycum will rely on his experience in providing professional development to staff.

When it comes to problems with students, Nycum stressed that everyone learns from their mistakes. “They’re kids. They’re going to make mistakes. It’s how you handle it as the adults,” he said. “You’re working with the child and not against the child, and they have to feel that support.”

Nycum said one of the challenges he already sees is that the superintendent’s office is part of the school building, rather than in a separate location like most other divisions.

“It’s going to be difficult to be in the building,” Nycum said. “I’ve got to let my principals lead, and feel I’m supporting them.”

Nycum said if parents or community members have concerns with the schools, they should contact the principals first. “I’d like the principals to be the first response to any suggestions or concerns,” he said.

For now, he is working to meet everyone and learn as quickly as he can about the school system’s needs.

“I’ll definitely peek my head in every door this week,” Nycum said. “That’s what’s great about this place. You can do those relationships.”

Nycum plans to stay on as superintendent for at least a decade. “I’ll be here for a while — 10, 15, 20 years,” he said. “I think consistency is important, whether it’s right or wrong, it’s consistency. I don’t plan on going anywhere.

“I haven’t been excited in a while for a job,” he added. “I’m excited to start this.”