The Brunswick County Board of Education is excited to announce the selection of Mr. Dale Cole as the next superintendent of Brunswick County Schools. Mr. Cole’s selection was unanimously approved by the Brunswick County Board of Education at its Committee Meeting on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
“The Board of Education thoughtfully and carefully reviewed applications from a diverse field of 30 excellent candidates,” said Board of Education Chairman Steve Barger. “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. The Board of Education is confident Mr. Cole will lead our great school system to even higher achievement.”
Mr. Cole has enjoyed a long and very successful career in public education, spanning nearly thirty years in North Carolina. Since 2019, Mr. Cole has served as the superintendent of Clay County Schools. Prior to joining Clay County Schools, Mr. Cole served as Director of Instructional Services, Career and Technical Education, and Testing for Hyde County Schools, School Transformation Coach for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction - Educator Support Services, Principal (Beaufort County Schools) - Southside High School, Chocowinity Middle School, and P.S. Jones Middle School, Assistant Principal (Beaufort County Schools) - Washington High School, High School English Teacher, and High School football and baseball coach. Mr. Cole was also named the 2013 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year.
Mr. Cole has an impressive academic background as well, earning a Bachelor of Science in English Education-Secondary, a Master of Science in School Administration, and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Administration and Supervision all from East Carolina University.
Mr. Cole looks forward to the opportunity to lead Brunswick County Schools and to become an active member of the community. Mr. Cole is married to his wife, Kim. The Coles have two daughters, Darah and Delta, and one son, Ty.
“I am so very honored and proud to be selected as the next superintendent of Brunswick County Schools,” Cole said.
Cole has also outlined his vision for the first 90 days as superintendent of Brunswick County Schools, stating:
During my first 90 days in BCS, it is my goal to visit all schools and engage in listening sessions with all staff members, certified and classified. I am encouraged by the fact that in the 2022 NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey, over 80% of our teachers felt that BCS was "a good place to work and learn." However, I would like to see that number move to 90% or better. Our district numbers show that 40-50% of our teachers have concerns with how we use their time, how much influence they have on decision-making, how their professional development is provided, how student conduct is managed, and how the NCTWC survey is used to improve their schools. I will be asking teachers for their specific ideas for improvement in these areas in order to provide a focus for our leadership team. At the same time, I will be carrying out a full review of all safety procedures at all schools, including how we carry out, document results, and continuously improve our fire drill procedures, lock-down drill procedures, tornado drill procedures, etc. Student and staff safety is our first priority, so I will not feel comfortable moving forward in other areas until I have a clear handle on safety for all. I believe that a successful school district will live the following values:
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a positive and safe working and learning environment
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high-quality and research-based Instruction in all classrooms every day
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intentional continuous improvement
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a growth mindset
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teamwork
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leadership by all
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intentional family and community partnerships
Please join the Brunswick County Board of Education in congratulating and welcoming Mr. Dale Cole as the new superintendent of Brunswick County Schools!
