On February 21 Dr Rickie Harris has announced his intentions to retire as Superintendent of West Orange Cove CISD. Dr. Harris provided KOGT with a statement he released to faculty today.
After a wonderful 28-year career in education, it is with mixed emotions that I announce my intent to retire, effective December 31, 2025. I have truly enjoyed my time as an educator from teaching my son to read while he sat in the back seat as we drove 50 miles each way to my first principal’s position, to escorting my daughter as part of her senior homecoming court at WOS. I can truly say that the education profession has given me more than I could have everdreamed.
Words cannot express the gratitude and appreciation I have in my heart for the West Orange-Cove CISD Board of Trustees, staff, students, and community. Your love and acceptance of my family and me over the last 10 years have been an incredible experience.
Upon the hiring of the next superintendent, I will assume the role of Superintendent Emeritus and will serve in that capacity until December 31, 2025. In this role, I will act as a consultant to the board and the new superintendent to assist with a smooth leadership transition.
Again, it has been a joy serving the West Orange-Cove CISD community, and I truly believe that once a Mustang, always a Mustang.
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WOCCISD Board President and Trustees Respond to Superintendent Retirement
Announcement-Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 reminds us, “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven…”
On behalf of the West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District (WOCCISD) Board of Trustees, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Rickie Harris for over a decade of dedicated service to our district. Having Dr. Harris lead our schools as Superintendent has been an absolute blessing and honor. He is a champion of education and an inspiration to all he comes in contact within the community.
Truly, Dr. Harris will be missed, and his legacy of creating a “masterplan of education” in WOCCISD will continue for generations to come. We sincerely thank him for the incredible dedication he has always shown to our students, staff, community, and profession. We wish him a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement.
While this decision was not made lightly, Dr. Harris’s retirement is a step toward facilitating a thorough search and interview process for the Board of Trustees to ensure the continued growth of our schools in WOCCISD. We, the Board of Trustees, look forward to employing a Superintendent who will operate from strong core values, prioritize the best interests of students, teachers, and staff, and continue to enhance student opportunities to become productive citizens.
The Superintendent position will be posted on Monday, March 3, 2025, and the application period will close on Friday, March 28, 2025.
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