Assistant superintendent of Bruns. County Schools announces retirement | Education

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - After serving students and families for 46 years, Robert "Bob" Grimes announced his retirement Tuesday to the Board of Education and administrative staff.

In what has truly been an epic career, Grimes has served as teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and most recently assistant superintendent for Brunswick County Schools. 

His leadership and love of reading ignited the system's "Today a Reader-Tomorrow a Leader Initiative" and expansion of schools' library collections.

According to Superintendent Edward Pruden, "Whereas reading is the gateway skill to all other academic learning and career success, Bob's work will benefit our students for a lifetime.  Bob Grimes models what he espouses, as he is the most prolific reader in the county!"

It is without a doubt this commitment contributed to Grimes' selection as the 2012 North Carolina School Library Media Association (NCSLMA) Administrator of the Year.  Grimes will receive the award on Oct. 5, 2012 at the NCSLMA conference luncheon in Winston-Salem. 

Upon learning about the award, Grimes said, "I am honored to receive recognition from the NCSLMA as the Administrator of the Year.  This award represents the efforts of  our principals and most importantly the media specialists at all 19 of our schools. They are the ones who truly lead by example and work each day to create libraries that are irresistible to our students.  In our schools,"Today a Reader--Tomorrow a Leader," is not just a saying, it is our culture."

Throughout his career, Grimes has served as mentor to countless teachers and administrators.  Those fortunate to work with him know at the core of his commitment to public education is his love and advocacy for students.

According to Superintendent Edward Pruden, "Bob Grimes is one in a million: nationally recognized school turnaround specialist;  award-winning high school principal and leader of effective practices to promote literacy as the foundational skill to all other learning; mentor and coach to hundreds of teachers and school administrators; caring advocate for students.  His career spanning four decades is the model of the student-centered, excellence-driven public school leader.  We will fill his position, but Bob Grimes cannot be replaced."

Grimes will retire December 31, 2012.