Dale S. Rumberger

Dale Steven Rumberger is a retired high school principal for the Fairfax County Public Schools system.

Early life and education

Sporting an unfortunate haircut, Rumberger graduated from Madison High School in Madison, Ohio in 1971. He next attended Kent State University, graduating in 1975 with a BS in education.

In his final year at KSU, Rumberger was elected president of the Student National Education Association.[1]

Rumberger would later attend Virginia Tech from 1982 to 1984, taking his MS in Education Administration.

Professional career

Rumberger began his career with Fairfax County Public Schools at Lake Braddock Secondary School in 1976, teaching theater arts and student leadership.[2]

The 29-year-old Rumberger was one of nine people taken hostage when 18-year-old dropout James Q. Stevens took over the school's office at gunpoint on November 10, 1982. Rumberger, Rumberger's impressive mustache, and data processing assistant Catherine M. Reppert were the last hostages released before Stevens finally allowed Principal John W. Alwood to leave and surrendered to the police, ending the 21-hour standoff.[3][4]

Rumberger continued to teach at Lake Braddock until 1985, when he moved to the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology to become a special projects teacher and director of student activities.[2][5]

In 1990, Rumberger moved to Hayfield Secondary School to become a subschool principal.[6]

Rumberger finally got to sit in the big chair when he became principal at Chantilly High School in 1995, following the departure of Steve Wareham.[2]

After four years at CHS, Rumberger became principal of the new Westfield High School in 1999, which opened in 2000.[2]

In March, 2004, Rumberger was named principal of the new South County Secondary School in Lorton, and opened the school in September, 2005.[7]

SCHS would be Rumberger's last regular position with FCPS, and he retired in 2008.

Following his retirement, Rumberger continued to act a a consultant for FCPS, and also act as an interim principal.

On November 1, 2011, Rumberger became the interim principal of West Springfield High School following the promotion of Paul A. Wardinski to Director of the Office of Professional and Life Skills in the Instructional Services Department.[8][9]

When South Lakes High School Principal Kim Retzer took maternity leave in January 2013, Rumberger stepped in as interim principal until her return.[10]

Rumberger would return as interim principal to both high schools he had opened: South County High School in 2014 and Westfield High School in 2015.

On February 21, 2016 Rumberger became the interim principal of West Potomac High School after Principal Alex Case was placed on leave earlier in the month.[11][12][13]

Personal life

Rumberger married the former Claudia E. Smith, and the couple would have two sons, Nicholas and Scott.

Awards and honors

In November 2006, Rumberger was named Fairfax County Public School's Principal of the Year.[6]

The Dale S. Rumberger Performing Arts Center at South County High School is named after him.

References

  1. ↑ "In The News..." Daily Kent Stater [Kent, Ohio] 21 Feb. 1975: 11. Daily Kent Stater Archives. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Rumberger Leaves Westfield, Goes South." Connection Newspapers. Connection Newspapers, 3 Mar. 2004. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.
  3. ↑ Bauer, Patricia E., and Molly Moore. "Siege at Va. School Ends." The Washington Post (1974-Current file): 2. Nov 12 1982. ProQuest. Web. 22 Feb. 2017 .
  4. ↑ Sager, Mike and Sara G. Boodman. "21 Hours of Rage, Fear and Suspense at Lake Braddock School." The Washington Post. WP Company, 12 Nov. 1982. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.
  5. ↑ Goff, Karen. "Rumberger Will Temporarily Lead SLHS." Reston, VA Patch. Patch, 16 Dec. 2012. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Team Leader, Team Builder." Connection Newspapers. Connection Newspapers, 14 Sept. 2006. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.
  7. ↑ "Rumberger Named South County High Principal." Connection Newspapers. Connection Newspapers, 10 Mar. 2004. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.
  8. ↑ Larson, Susan. "WSHS Interim Principal Named." Burke, VA Patch. Patch, 06 Oct. 2011. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.
  9. ↑ Larson, Susan. "Update: WSHS Principal to Become Program Director with FCPS." Burke, VA Patch. Patch, 28 Sept. 2011. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.
  10. ↑ Freeman, David. "Interim Principle for Retzer Named." South Lakes Sentinel. South Lakes Sentinel, 21 Dec. 2012. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.
  11. ↑ Balingit, Moriah. "West Potomac High School Principal Is on Leave." The Washington Post. WP Company, 13 Feb. 2017. Web. 14 Feb. 2017.
  12. ↑ Fox, Peggy. "West Potomac HS Principal on Leave." WUSA. Tegna, 13 Feb. 2017. Web. 14 Feb. 2017.
  13. ↑ Dade, Terry J. "Welcome Mr. Dale Rumberger." West Potomac High School. Fairfax County Public Schools, 22 Feb. 2017. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.