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Vintage Hills Elementary School Principal Carole Stothers recently announced she will be retiring at the end of the current school year, which comes to a close in just over two weeks.
A longtime educator and Pleasanton resident, Stothers told the Vintage Hills community she appreciates being able to end her 36-year career in education in a city she has called home for so long.
“It has been a special gift to have the opportunity to finish my career in Pleasanton, where I have lived for nearly 30 years and where my children attended kindergarten through 12th grade,” Stothers said in a May 1 announcement. “Serving this community has been one of the greatest honors of my career.”
Stothers marks the second top school administrator to announce their plans to leave the Pleasanton Unified School District at the end of the academic year. Last month, Hart Middle School Principal Caroline Fields also shared she will be retiring.
“We are grateful for Principal Stothers’ dedicated service to PUSD and public education,” Susanne Frey, PUSD’s safety and communications coordinator said on behalf of the district.
“As an administrator, she has made a lasting impact on students, staff, and families through her caring leadership and commitment to fostering an inclusive and high-achieving school environment,” Frey added. “We appreciate her contributions to the Pleasanton school community and wish her all the best in retirement and this exciting next chapter with her family.”
Stothers first entered the education field in 1990 when she received her teaching credentials. She went on to work as a reading specialist and as an instructional coach for intervention before serving three years as assistant principal at Donlon Elementary School.
In 2022, the district selected her to become Vintage Hills’ principal following the departure of former principal Michael O’Brien.Â
Stothers said she appreciated the connections she has made and the support she has seen from her staff and from the students and their families over the last four years.
“I am incredibly proud of the caring, inclusive, and high-achieving school environment we have built together,” she said in her announcement.
She cited being with her family among the reasons for her departure.
“While this was not an easy decision, I am excited to spend more time with my family which includes, as many of you know, seven grandchildren that seem to be growing up awfully fast and embracing this next chapter,” Stothers said.
Meanwhile, the district already posted the soon-to-be open position for the 2026-27 school year on EDJOIN, which is where educational institutions typically post their job offerings. According to the listing, the job was posted on May 5 and the deadline to apply was Monday (May 11).
“We will share an update once a new hire has been made,” Frey said.
Stothers said as part of the recruitment, there will be “opportunities for staff and family input as part of that process.”
“I am confident that the school will continue to grow and thrive with the strong foundation that is in place,” Stothers said at the end of her statement.
“Thank you for the trust you have placed in me and for allowing me to be part of your children’s educational journey,” she added. “Vintage Hills will always hold a special place in my heart.”
