By Stephen Smoot
It was supposed to be a secret and a surprise, but as anyone who has worked with or for Charles Hedrick in his near four decades with Pendleton County Schools knows, not much gets past him.
So, he went into his surprise retirement party last Friday in full anticipation of what to expect from family, friends, and colleagues as they celebrated a distinguished career in education.
As everyone gathered in the main conference room of the central office building, J. D. Wilkins, board president, greeted all with “Welcome to a celebration!”
“We’ve got somebody good coming along,” said Wilkins of incoming superintendent Nicole Hevener. He added of Hedrick, however, that “it’s sad to say good-bye.”
Wilkins invited anyone to share a memory of Hedrick and several rose to the occasion to share stories about the retiring superintendent. These ranged from Barbara Whitecotton, school improvement coordinator, retired Hardy County superintendent, and family to Hedrick, sharing stories from when he was a young child.
From the former Hardy County superintendent to the current one, Sheena Van Meter also came to recognize his career. She told all that “he’s always great to give advice.”
Long-time board member, Sonny O’Neil, then offered some thoughts. He quipped, “I told him the other night I wanted to ‘roast’ him. But I couldn’t think of anything bad to say.” O’Neil referred to an old tradition of sharing gentle jokes and stories at an honored guest’s expense to promote the fellowship of all.
O’Neil shared that at times, he would ask Hedrick a difficult question on a tough issue. He said that Hedrick would reply, “You might not like my answer, but I’ll give you an answer” in his characteristic manner that included bluntness of words with diplomacy of tone.
J. P. Mowery holds the financial and treasury roles, which in some counties could provide friction between the two officials concerning the capabilities of money available and the aspirations of superintendents to do more.
He praised the working relationship between Hedrick and all on staff. “From day one,” Mowery shared, “Charles has been an extremely hard-working superintendent.” He went on to state how “crucial it was to the school system” that Hedrick made regular visits to see state officials and legislators in person to advocate for Pendleton County Schools and other rural systems.
“We will miss your steadfast leadership,” concluded Mowery.
Charles Burgoyne served the school system as a board member and also as a head coach building the varsity, junior varsity, and middle school golf programs. He shared that he knew a lot of people around the state who would react when he said he came from Pendleton County. They would say, “Oh, that’s where Charles Hedrick and J. P. Mowery are,” adding, “it’s great to have that kind of reputation.”
Whitecotton opened with takes of his childhood, but also talked of Hedrick’s advocacy. She gave him credit for helping to obtain the 1,400 floor in state school funding. That law provides that any system with a student population under 1,400 will receive monies as if it had that student population.
She ended with “I’m very proud of Pendleton County Schools. I can’t think of anybody who could have done a better job.” Then she said that she understands the challenge of stepping away from not just a job, but a vocation.
Probably the most poignant words came from his wife, Renee.
“What you don’t see,” she offered, “is what all he does for his family after he’s put in a 60-hour work week. He wasn’t just a good man here. He’s a good man all the way around.”
She closed with “I’m beyond proud and so happy.”
Wilkins closed out the festivities by speaking of what separates a great administrator from the rest. He referred to it as the ability to “absorb stuff,” with “stuff” possibly standing in for an earthier word. “Good administrators absorb the stuff,” said Wilkins, who added “they don’t pass it along.”
“They pass on jobs . . . pass on energy, pass on dedication, but they don’t pass on the stuff.” Wilkins went on to cite “the cost of his own stress and not passing it on.”
Then he added “his fingerprints are just about everywhere.”
In the prayer shared before a large buffet lunch, Wilkins offered “thank You for the blessing of wisdom.”
