Echard named principal of Van Devender Middle
PARKERSBURG - Kurt Echard has been named principal of Van Devender Middle School.
Echard has been an employee of Wood County Schools since 2014. He came to Wood County Schools from a mental health/behavior treatment background where he worked at a residential juvenile treatment center for 14 years. He has a Master's degree in counseling through Marshall University and earned his administration certification through Salem University.
He began his career with Wood County Schools as a school counselor. He served four years as an elementary school counselor at Lubeck and Madison Elementary schools and then spent two years as the school counselor at Hamilton Middle School. In 2020, Echard accepted the assistant principal position at Van Devender Middle School and has held that position for the last three years.
"I am excited to take over as the head principal of the school that I love and I'm looking forward to building on what our team started three years ago,” he said. “Always remember to Be Kind, Work Hard and Represent".
Echard and the school staff welcome feedback and want to be responsive to concerns. They can be reached through the school Facebook Messenger, Schoology email, regular email, PBIS rewards or by calling the school.