Chuck McCauley looks quite comfortable in his new office at the Education Service Center.
The former principal at Bartlesville High School, McCauley officially became the Bartlesville Public School District's executive director of human resources when the Bartlesville Board of Education approved the move during a regular meeting on Sept. 4.
“Chuck has been an excellent principal and assistant principal within our district for several years,” says Dr. Gary W. Quinn, the BPSD superintendent who recommended the move to the board. “We felt that he was ready for this role.”
McCauley was in his fourth year as the BHS principal after serving four years as an assistant principal at the school. Under his leadership, the Bruins have seen improved test scores and new facilities while adding a Chinese language program as well. BHS students have turned in improved ACT test scores in each year of McCauley's tenure, including a lofty 22.6 this year, the school's best showing since 2003. In recent years, the Bruins have added preparatory classes for the ACT and the PSAT, both college entrance exams.
McCauley helped usher in an almost seamless transition into new facilities on the Bruin campus as the BHS Fieldhouse, the Library/Media Center and the Connecting Link were added under his watch.
The Chinese language program is now in its second year and BHS is one of the few high schools in the state to offer it.
The BPSD's executive director of human resources position was made available when Dr. Richard Rosenberger left the district last month. With McCauley transitioning into his new role, Teri Brant has taken over as the interim principal at BHS, a move which is expected to become official during Monday's board meeting.
As the executive director of human resources, McCauley's primary duty will be to hire and retain employees throughout the district.
“I'm very excited about this opportunity,” says McCauley. “This is the only position that I would have left my previous position for.
“I think the most important thing you do as principal is to hire good people to work with the students. I think this position allows me to showcase my strengths.”
Brant took part in her first assembly Tuesday evening as the interim principal at BHS during the National Honor Society Fall 2008 Induction Ceremony. State representative Earl Sears served as the guest speaker at the event and greeted Brant warmly.
“I have all the faith in the world,” said Sears, “that under your leadership, great things will continue to happen here at Bartlesville High School.”
Both Brant and McCauley were on hand Thursday morning at the Fine Arts Center during Bartlesville High School 's 2008 Career Day. Now in its third year, the event is yet another which sprung up during McCauley's time at the helm. During the Career Day, representatives from several types of businesses – including those in fields such as medicine, architecture and law – hold short seminars which students can attend to help them gain more insight into possible employment opportunities in the future. Nearly 20 career fields were represented at this year's event.
Though happy in his new position, McCauley hardly seemed out of place on Thursday as he talked to students, staff members and Career Day representatives.
“I loved working at the high school,” says McCauley. “It was a great staff and we had great kids.
“I had fun going to work every day. I'll miss it.”
The Bartlesville Public School District's new executive director of human resources, Chuck McCauley was in his fourth year as principal at Bartlesville High School before taking over his new role. He had served four years as an assistant principal at BHS as well.