Danville High School hires new assistant principal

Stanfield’s efforts to meet the diverse academic and social needs of Henry Clay High students as well as his previous experience working with an independent school district further enhances his ability to serve the Danville High community, Etherington said.

“Having served as a principal and assistant principal, Wade understands the very important responsibilities of a high school administrator,” Etherington said. “Wade will be able to have an immediate impact on school culture and climate, as well as academic achievement.”

Stanfield, who is married with two children, understands additional aspects of education, as he spent four years as an Eastern Kentucky University admissions counselor and then served five years as a dean of students for the EKU model laboratory school. During his tenure, he also was head and assistant coach for middle and high school boys basketball teams. Stanfield, who holds a master’s degree in education from EKU, is working toward a doctorate of education at EKU. 

“I am honored to have been selected as the assistant principal at DHS,” Stanfield said. “I am also excited about the opportunity to serve the students and to play a role in the continued success at DHS.”

One strong community supporter of Stanfield’s hiring is Norman Bartleson, president of the Danville-Boyle County chapter of the NAACP. Bartleson recently had expressed in interviews and a letter to the editor to The Advocate-Messenger that qualified African-American applicants were being overlooked for administrative positions in Danville. The hiring of Stanfield, who is African-American, is a positive step toward diversity within the school district, Bartleson said.

“I’ve met Wade and his wife several times over the years and feel really good about his new position,” Bartleson said. “He will help Danville students tremendously.”