High school chief announces retirement

For 34 "good" years, Bruce Cole has been serving Corning Union High School District, starting as a student teacher and moving all the way up the ladder to district superintendent.

On July 1, 2012, that career comes to an end.

Cole, 56, first made his retirement announcement during a closed session of the October district board meeting, and will make the announcement publicly during the next board meeting on Nov. 16.

"The board has decided to replace me, and is at this point has began the process of discovering who within the district is interested in filling the vacancy," Cole said.

Hired by the district in 1979 after serving one year as a student teacher, Cole taught English and French for two years. He then taught Spanish and French, moving on to Spanish and English until he was finally able to head Corning High School's full program of teaching the Spanish language.

"I loved being in the classroom," Cole said. "When I went into administration, that is what I missed the most, and still do today."

Cole spent 24 years in the classroom at the high school, before promoting to administration as principal.

"Two years before Mike Henry retired as superintendent, Melinda Self, then principal, asked me if I would be interested in being principal when Mike retired. I told her no, it was too unfamiliar a pos tion for me," Cole explains.

But Self didn't let the subject drop. She asked Cole a second time, and this time around he said he would consider the idea.

"I told Melinda I would be principal if she became superintendent," Cole said. "In the meantime I worked to earn my credentials in administration at California State University, Chico, the school where I earned my teaching credentials in 1979."

The rest is history. Self was appointed superintendent, and for four years Cole served as principal.

When Self retired, Cole stepped into the vacancy and has served as superintendent for five years.

"My career in education started right here with Corning Union High School District and will end right here as well," he said.

Scott Patton, president of the district board of trustees, who has served in the capacity with Cole for many years, said, "Bruce (Cole) has been instrumental in getting the district through financially difficult times. He has really helped us sail the ship and keep it afloat."

Patton noted how Cole was able to get the school staff on board in saving money, through efforts such as turning air-conditioners off at night to using less paper.

In his 34 years at Corning High School, Cole said the biggest change he has seen is in student demographics.

"There has been a significant shift in student demographics. When I started here we had about 550 students, the vast majority of them white. Today we have 1,000 students with more than 50 percent of them Hispanic," Cole stated.

In those same 34 years, Cole says he has seen a lot of growth in the district, of which the one he is most pleased with is the Professional Learning Communications program.

"I developed that notion and it has proven to be very successful. The program has provided teachers in the district an opportunity to get together and talk about teaching and learning, needs and trends, academics, management and teaching strategies," Cole said. "I felt strongly that it was needed, and that was eight years ago. It has been very functional creating communication within the district."

Cole's decision to retire wasn't an easy one.

"I always told myself and others it is important to know when to walk away. I feel strongly about that and I knew now was the time. My heart told me it was time to go. I also believe it is important that once you make that decision to not convince yourself otherwise," he explained.

The superintendent feels he has had a great career and wonderful experience in the district, the best of which was in the classroom.

"I have been blessed with this career," he said.

Between now and July, Cole plans to be as supportive to the faculty and staff at the district as he can in all the various facets change produces.

"Change is difficult. But the people here, many of whom I have worked with throughout my career, and some who I have personally hired, need to know and be reminded that Corning Union High School District was great before I came and will remain great after I am gone," he said. "We will keep the momentum moving in a positive direction."

"Bruce (Cole) has done a great job for us and will be greatly missed," Patton said.

Cole stated emphatically how much he appreciates the community and the district staff for the outstanding support shown to him and to the district.

"There are a lot of great people in this community and this district, and I will miss them," he said.

Following his retirement, Cole plans to "first of all relax," and get his health back.

"I will start a regular exercise program and probably travel some. For 10 years I used to travel with students to Spain and other parts of Europe, plus I made many trips on my own, I really miss that," he said.

After that, he isn't sure, but he will take life as it comes.