Steve Cooper, the vice principal and athletic director at Waldport Middle/High School is returning home. Well, close anyway.
Cooper, 56, has accepted a job as principal of Yamhill-Carlton High School effective July 1.
Cooper started his education career 33 years ago as a middle school science teacher in nearby McMinnville, including eight years as dean of students at McMinnville High School.
Cooper moved to Waldport three years ago to join the Waldport High administration.
“I wasn’t looking … I was content,” Cooper told YachatsNews. “But I was given the chance to return home … and to go out as a principal.”
With 307 students, Yamhill-Carlton is a third larger than Waldport High School and competes athletically in the 3A Oregon School Activities Association classification.
The Lincoln County School District has advertised and is seeking Cooper’s replacement, but has not yet filled the position.
“I have absolutely loved my time here,” Cooper said. “There’s no dissatisfaction whatsoever … it’s not professional, the move is personal.”
There is one small drawback to the change, however. Cooper, an ardent University of Oregon fan, was able to routinely wear that school’s colors at WHS, whose colors are green and black. Yamhill-Carlton’s school colors are orange and black — the same as Oregon State University.
