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Highland principal to retire this June
BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
 | | Highland High School principal Randy Hooke is retiring at the end of the school year after 38 years in education. (Recorder photo by James Jacenich) |
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MONTEREY - Longtime Highland High School principal Randy Hooke has chosen to retire at the end of the school year.
Highland County Public Schools superintendent Gary Blair said, "Mr. Hooke represents a lifetime of dedication to students. He is committed to service, has integrity, and treats people with respect and dignity. He always looks out for what is best for students. You don't replace (people like Hooke). You find somebody to come in and take things to another level."
Monday, school board chair Bobbie Hefner thanked Hooke on behalf of the board. "I've never seen anyone care as much for kids as he does," she said.
Hooke will finish out the school year, leaving at the end of June.
He was promoted to HHS principal in the fall of 2001 after having served at Highland Elementary School as principal and the school district as a whole since 1976.
Hooke is a 1970 graduate of Bridgewater College. His first teaching assignment was at Culpeper Elementary School where he taught fifth grade math and science from 1970-76.
In 1976, Hooke transferred to McDowell Elementary School, where he was third grade teacher and principal. In 1985, MES closed and Hooke became principal of Monterey Elementary School; in 1997 he moved into the new Highland Elementary School and when Monterey Elementary was closed. At several junctures in his career, he also taught special education.
In 2005, Hooke was considering early retirement, after a serious of acrimonious encounters with then superintendent Dr. Nancie Lightner. He later said the former superintendent was pressuring him to leave the school system. The Highland County Education Association organized a rally at the April 5, 2005 school board meeting to support the embattled principal. HCEA executive council member Ginny Neil said at the time, "Too often we take for granted those who deserve our fullest appreciation. Tonight, the Highland County Education Association would like to extend our thanks to Mr. Randy Hooke for all he does for our children."
Hooke received a two-minute standing ovation in the crowded HES cafeteria.
Neil continued, "We'd like to take this opportunity to communicate not only to him, but to the school board and the superintendent, how much we value his leadership. It is evident that there are parents and citizens of Highland County who feel the same way."
A second standing ovation followed these comments.
Hooke told the gathering, "I am touched. I am moved. This is a great place to be."
Hooke grew up in Highland County and shares a home south of Monterey with his wife, Nancy.
"I've been blessed to be back in Highland," Hooke said of his career here.
He is especially thankful for the children he has taught and the parents he has worked with over his 38 years in education, he said.
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