After nearly 60 years, as both a student and staff member, Wes Hairston will no longer walk the halls of the Rock Hill schools.

He graduated from Rock Hill High School in 1970 and then returned after college to be a teacher and a coach for 14 years, then served eight years as the high school assistant principal, then eight years as the middle school principal. In 2009, he became the superintendent.

After 40 years on the job, his final day at the school was on July 31.

“It was a great time, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I wore a lot of different hats for the Rock Hill school district,” he said. “I’m very proud of our district and all that we have accomplished and where we’re heading.”

During his tenure he oversaw improvements to the school and the athletic fields and improved security to deal with concerns about school shootings across the country.

We commend Hairston for his many decades of dedication to his alma mater and hope he enjoys his retirement.

We congratulate David Hopper, who was the Rock Hill High School principal, on taking over the superintendent position and have confidence he will follow the path set by Hairston.