‘He was a great leader’: Former Rock Hill superintendent McDaniel dies
Those who worked with Phillip J. McDaniel said he influenced the Rock Hill school district in ways still seen today.
McDaniel served as superintendent from 1993 to 2002.
McDaniel died on May 23 in Wilfred, Ind., according to his obituary posted online. He is survived by his wife of 58 years Deanna McDaniel along with their children and grandchildren.
McDaniel was born in Hymera, Ind. in 1939, the obituary states.
He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana State University and his doctorate from Indiana University, the obituary states. McDaniel dedicated 43 years to education. He worked as a teacher, principal and superintendent.
A statue outside the Rock Hill school district office is dedicated to Joe Gentry and McDaniel. Gentry was superintendent of the district from 1981 to 1993.
While leading the Rock Hill school district, McDaniel was awarded the Order of the Silver Crescent in 2002, South Carolina’s highest honor, the obituary states.
Several people, who commented on an announcement posted to the Rock Hill school district’s Facebook page, described McDaniel as a “good superintendent” and a “true teaching leader.”
Judy Mobley credits McDaniel for encouraging her to pursue new roles in the school district. With his support, Mobley said she was trained to become a principal and eventually led Rock Hill High School.
Mobley worked with McDaniel during his entire tenure in Rock Hill. She retired from the Rock Hill district in 2015 as the executive director of secondary education.
“Dr. McDaniel saw something in me and encouraged me to move into a principal role,” Mobley said. “I am appreciative of the kind of support he gave me as I made changes in my career.”
Susan York taught health and sex education to fifth and sixth graders when McDaniel joined Rock Hill. She said McDaniel supported her in forming a district-wide, comprehensive health program.
York said McDaniel could often be seen talking with staff and sharing ideas on how to improve their jobs for the good of the district.
“He had a vision. He didn’t want to just come in there and sit still,” York said. “He actually did care about each individual student and the people who worked for him.”
York said McDaniel always said to “take the high road” and was essential in leading the district as a team.
Mobley said McDaniel also helped school leaders identify and fix problems.
“He wanted the schools to be best they could be,” she said. “He was a great leader...”
McDaniel brought fresh ideas to the district from Indiana and Wisconsin, said Gary Williams. Williams served on the Rock Hill school board from 1996 to 2000.
“He was always razor-focused on what was important for the children and education,” Williams said.
Jane Peeples, board member from 1990-1998, was involved in McDaniel’s hiring. She said he understood the changes to come in education.
McDaniel, Peeples said, helped Rock Hill prepare for the role technology would eventually play in schools.
“This was not something that was happening in most schools in South Carolina at that time. He was visionary in that way,” Peeples said.
McDaniel was supportive of the arts and was a part of bringing swimming lessons to students in need, York said. The YMCA and school district later partnered to open an aquatics center in Rock Hill.
McDaniel was also influential in establishing the decorum known today at Rock Hill’s high school graduations, said Jim Vining, former school board chair. McDaniel, Vining said, also pushed for the preservation of what is now the Carroll School in Rock Hill.
Vining said McDaniel started the first school of choice in Rock Hill, the Children’s School at Sylvia Circle. The Montessori program began at the school in the 2001-’02 school year, according to the district.
The Rock Hill school district now offers a variety of school choice programs.
Vining and Williams said McDaniel brought the international baccalaureate program to Rock Hill schools.
“His imprint is probably bigger in the district than any superintendent since then,” Vining said.
Williams said McDaniel led the district “with a smile.”
“He really cared about the kids and how much education they received,” Williams said.
