After 3 1/2 years at Hayesville, Dale Cole will take
the helm at Brunswick County Schools
Schools Superintendent Dale Cole is resigning his position here to take the helm at Brunswick County Schools beginning July 1.
By Becky Long
Publisher
Clay County Schools Superintendent Dale Cole announced his resignation on Tuesday morning. June 30 will be his final day at the helm here, but he is not leaving education. On July 1, he will become the superintendent of Brunswick County Schools some 400 miles away in eastern North Carolina.
Cole came on board as superintendent of Clay County Schools in November 2019. He entered the school system at a time when a new primary school was being built and just before the COVID pandemic was about to interrupt the daily lives of everyone, including school children and faculty.
Despite the hurdles caused by the pandemic, after 3 1/2 years, Cole appears to be leaving on a high note.
“Through an unprecedented time in public education that affected all staff and students, Mr. Cole led the charge to continue providing meals, instruction, and services to all students however we could as well as continued full-time employment for all staff through creative options to continue working,” the Clay County Schools leadership team posted on Facebook. “Clay County Schools has grown as a district academically and professionally through his leadership.”
According to a news release from the Brunswick County Board of Education, Cole was unanimously approved for their superintendent position from a field of 30 candidates.
“Although many qualified candidates applied, the board of education felt Mr. Cole’s experience, leadership and dedication to students and staff would best serve Brunswick County Schools’ students, employees and community for years to come,” said Steve Barger, the board’s chairman.
Cole’s resignation followed a Monday night school board meeting in which board Chairman Jason Shook said Cole’s resignation was discussed, but did not become official until Tuesday morning.
Shook said he plans to contact the school board attorney to draft possible proposals for the position. They will likely use a search firm that specializes in school superintendents. He hopes to have a work session on June 1 with the attorney.
In the meantime Shook said the board will likely have to plan unscheduled meetings to discuss how they will proceed. They could also consider an interim position while the search is underway as was the case in the past.
After more than three decades, Scotty Penland retired as superintendent of schools in 2013. After Supt. Mark Leek resigned, Gary Gibson held the position for about a year. Penland was called in twice to take the position on an interim basis in 2018, and again in 2019 filling the role until Cole was hired Nov. 1 of that year.
When asked if he had been approached or would consider serving as interim superintendent a third time, Penland declined to comment. He is serving his second term on the county commission board.
In the meantime, in his letter announcing the resignation, Cole reflected warmly on his time at Clay County Schools.
“First, I want to thank the CCSBOE for taking a chance on me in 2019. They listened to my thoughts, values, and beliefs and decided to give me an opportunity to lead the most important organization in Clay County. I will never forget how proud that made me feel as I stood in front of my family to sign my first superintendent contract,” he wrote.
“Second, I want to thank our leadership team. Their work has been and will continue to be critical in moving the district forward while you sustain and expand upon the accomplishments of the last four years. I have never worked with a better team than the one we have right now, and they blow me away every day with what their teams accomplish under their leadership,” he continued.
“Third, I want to thank the entire staff. As a team we have accomplished a tremendous amount of change over the last four years, including managing fully online teaching, managing pandemic procedures, adopting new discipline procedures, data collection and use, curriculum, etc. You have taken all of these changes in stride, and they have had a positive impact on student learning outcomes,” said Cole. “I have never worked in a place where the staff focus so squarely on what matters, student learning. I look forward to monitoring your accomplishments from afar over the next few years, because I think they will be impressive.”
In conclusion Cole expressed gratitude to the community as well.
“This place really is a hidden gem, not just because of the beautiful geography and small town lifestyle, but mainly because of the people. I have been welcomed warmly everywhere I have visited since the day I took this job. It has been my honor and pleasure to serve this community for the last four years. I am very proud of what we have accomplished together,” he wrote. “Thank you for accepting me and allowing me to play a role in one of the best school districts in the state of NC. Go Yellow Jackets forever!”
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