Wagner Van Vlack is retiring from education after five years as principal at Catalina Foothills High School.
His final day is June 30.
"I will always cherish the memories of working with highly capable and dedicated teachers and staff, committed students and supportive parents," Van Vlack said at a staff meeting Wednesday.
Van Vlack, who is never referred to by his first name, said it was time to explore other business opportunities after 25 years as a teacher and principal in Kansas and 10 at Catalina Foothills High School.
His tenure has been filled with highs and lows, and through it all one staff member is amazed that his attitude has never wavered.
"Van's a people person," said golf and soccer coach Julie Walters. "His sense of humor and that enthusiasm that he brings to work every day is infectious."
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Van Vlack, 59, said he's not planning to slow down after he walks out the doors of the school for the last time. He's looking into private ventures in Tucson, though he said he's not ruling out work in Phoenix.
"I intend to work until I'm 120," he said Thursday with a sly grin.
When Van Vlack became principal in the 2002-03 school year, the state Department of Education was implementing its system of applying labels to schools based on test scores, attendance and graduation rates. Since the beginning, the high school has always been labeled as an excelling school.
Van Vlack is quick to deflect the praise and give it to the students and teachers.
"There's no deadwood here at all," he said. "These teachers teach with a passion."
Walters said Van Vlack's interest in every student likely can be credited with how well the students perform.
"It's nice to know that he knows every kid on campus," she said.
When asked to list some of the most memorable things about being at the school, Van Vlack listed winning the Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Cup Award as one of the top moments.
The Arizona Interscholastic Association gives the award to schools that show a high level of academic and athletic success.
"I can't tell you how great it was to be honored with that," he said.
But in the midst of the success were troubling moments for the school. Most notably, three girls were arrested on suspicion of possessing heroin on campus grounds in 2005.
Van Vlack's attempts to curb drug use on campus in the aftermath included drug-awareness seminars, student surveys and increased security.
Though staff members say Van Vlack's consistently high level of energy is a good thing, he often wonders if he often gets overexcited.
If so, then he says it's a good thing.
"That energy level is real, and that compassion will stay until the seniors walk across the stage and graduate," he said.
Did you know ...
Catalina Foothills' school district opened its doors in 1931 with nine students and a teacher who met in Foothills' developer John Murphey's garage.
By 1953 the district had built a schoolhouse and grown to 41 students.
In 1976 the district began busing students to local high schools. Parents had been driving their children to high schools in the Amphitheater and Tucson districts.
In 1990 voters passed a bond issue to build Catalina Foothills High School. The school opened its doors three years later at 4300 E. Sunrise Drive with freshman and sophomore classes and went on to graduate its first seniors in May 1996.
Source: Star archives
