Cooley a real "Blue" blood in Norwalk

NORWALK — He wasn't born and raised in Norwalk, but if it is up to Brad Cooley, he will work most of his life and die here. Cooley, superintendent of the Norwalk City Schools, was given a new five-year contract — along with treasurer Joyce Dupont — at Tuesday night's school board meeting. Both contracts will run through July 31, 2029. Both salaries are "freezing" at their current contract amount and the end of 2024 — Brad Cooley at $144,942 and Dupont at $111,144, board president Alison Crawford said. In addition, the district will pick up the employee's portion of the retirement for the two — 14% for Cooley and 10 percent for Dupont. "We as a district and community are blessed to have both Joyce Dupont and Brad Cooley signing new 5-year contracts," Crawford said in a statement. "I do not believe we could have a more dedicated and passionate superintendent for Norwalk City Schools," her statement continued. "Mr. Cooley's commitment to employing the best teachers and giving students the most opportunities during their time at Norwalk is unwavering. He is not afraid to stand up for what is best for our district. Under his leadership, Norwalk City School District is destined for success. "Mrs. Dupont's knowledge and enthusiasm for Public Schools is like no other. Her work is invaluable to the functioning of our district; without her skill set, we would not be able to continue to provide the level of excellence we inspire to provide to our students. I don't know many people who can make learning about public funding fun; but Joyce can! Their qualities and temperaments complement each other's and make for an invincible administrative team. Thank you both for everything you do!" Both were approved by 5-0 votes. Cooley was hired by Norwalk in 2002. "When Dr. (Wayne) Babcanec hired me it was one full year after this (Norwalk High School) opened," Cooley said after the meeting. "Definitely my life is committed to Norwalk City Schools." Any plans of going anywhere else? "No plans for that," he added. In total, Cooley has 25 years in education. He will be at 31 years at the end of this contract. "My father went 40," he said. "If you are feeling good and love what you are doing, why would you not do 40. It's fun to put people in the right position and programs that give kids the opportunity to excel. "The challenge that clearly comes with the position, it is exciting for me," Cooley added. "We want kids to have opportunities. We want to make it fun to come. It's not just the academic side. Not all kids love that piece. What's the fun magnet? Sometimes it is the clubs, the extracurriculars that tie people to why they want to be a Trucker." There has been a lot of talk and planning for a new elementary school across the street from the high school. Cooley hopes to see that new building before the end of this contract. "Absolutely," he said. "We have some promising information that Norwalk is getting closer. The responsibility will be on that we produce locally." If a new school is built it would be on a 79-21 split, with the state picking up the 79 percent. Norwalk would then need to kick in the remaining money. "Norwalk High School, all locally funded, will be paid off in 2024," Cooley said. "That would be great to roll into this project. What we are going to be working with the community is to get our committees togethers. ... "By no means is myself, central office and the board determining these plans. It will be the entire community. What do we want there? You clearly have heard from me." That plan is to go from six buildings to potentially three. Cooley said the district would be able to run much more efficiently in how students are served with staffing. "There are so many things we can improve because of that," he said. "We have a handful of buildings that are old that we are putting, not Bandaids on, but legitimate half-million-plus dollar fixes. "We are at that threshold where a new building makes sense," Cooley added. "Why put old money chasing good money or good money chasing bad, is the phrase. Starting in September and October the community will see active involvement." How much acreage is needed for a new school across Shady Lane? Cooley met earlier this week with officials from Garmann Miller to talk about numbers. The schools and the Huron County Commissioners had a deal to purchase more land across the street, but that deal fell through when commissioner Harry Brady voted no to veto it. "Ideally, we would like additional property," Cooley said. "We are not backing away from what we talked about initially. We know how that played out. Clearly, additional land will allow us to do additional things that would benefit our district." Cooley said the school owns 20 acres, which would be enough, but "there is additional property there. " How much the school will need? "They (Garmann Miller) will produce that number for us," Cooley said. "We can dream big, that's what's fun here. You can dream big then you get the numbers presented to you and sometimes you have to ratchet back some of those dreams. "When you are doing something new you want to chase the best ... see if the numbers match that."