Bolding announces his retirement
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To say Bolding has enjoyed a multi-faceted career is an understatement. In addition to his years in the school system, he has served in the U.S. Air Force, the National Guard, worked for EI DuPont, Associate’s Capitol, and John Oster.
Retiring is an odd word to describe George Bolding. He certainly doesn’t appear ready to slow down.
He is a bundle of energy, not random nervous energy, but a controlled, directed sort of energy. He seems to radiate good health and good will. When he gives you his full attention, you feel inclined to listen.
Maybe some of that comes from his years in the military, maybe some from his years in the school system, much of those being spent in administrative positions. Perhaps some of it comes from dealing with the problems of a long line of students, teachers, staff, school boards and school superintendents over the years.
Or maybe it’s just that if you’ve learned to command the attention of a bored and cynical 16-year-old, you can command anyone’s attention.
When asked what he is going to do when he retires, Bolding laughs and says, “Well one thing I am going to do is buy a fishing boat and start fishing. I can tell you that for sure.”
Bolding began teaching in Warren County in 1970. Then-superintendent Thomas Pedigo hired him for his first job in the school system.
“I had an interesting first week.” Bolding says. “The first week of in-service here I spent at three schools. They couldn’t figure out where they wanted to put me. I started out at West Elementary with sixth grade, then they called and sent me over to the old William Biles, where the administrative building is now, and I spent about 30 minutes there.
“I was sitting in the principal’s office introducing myself and the phone rang and they said send him to Northside,” he recalls, laughing. “I thought, what have I gotten myself into? I’ve been at three schools in two days.”
He wound up at Northside finally, starting there in 1970 teaching language arts. He moved to Irving College in 1973, teaching social studies and coaching girls basketball. His basketball teams won two county championships while he was there.
“Best little place in the world. Nicest people, nicest kids. We were just like family,” he says of Irving College. “And some of the best athletes around.”
After five years at Irving College he got a phone call from a board member asking if he would like to take a job as principal at Eastside. He decided to make the move and was at Eastside for six years, starting in 1979.
“Then one day Brian Knight and Rad Spivey came by wanting to know if I wanted to be junior high principal,” Bolding said.
He moved to the junior high in 1985 and held that position for nine years. Then when Edd Cantrell became the high school principal, Bolding applied for Cantrell’s old job and became assistant principal in 1994. He took the principal’s seat when Cantrell retired in 1996.
Bolding began his college education at MTSU in 1959. He put his education on hold during his junior year when he left to spend four years in the Air Force. He returned in 1966 and got his bachelor’s degree in 1967. He received his master’s from Tennessee Tech in 1972, and an EDS degree there in 1973.
George and his wife Vickie attend the First Baptist Church. He has two sons from a previous marriage, Brad, 33, and Clay, 27, and two stepsons Brian Kell, 28, and Jay Kell 24.
Bolding is originally from Old Hickory, Tenn., but he has lived in Warren County since moving here in 1968.
“Warren County is a great place,” he says. “The citizens will pitch in and do about anything you ask. The parents are always supportive.”
“He’s a good fellow,” former principal Edd Cantrell says, “a dedicated, hard worker. He expects a lot from his teachers, everything that you would expect them to give in their profession. I enjoyed working with him when he was my assistant principal. I hate to see him go, but I understand his decision having been there myself.”
Current Director of Instruction Priscilla Wanamaker has some other memories – Bolding’s colorful way of speaking sprinkled with colloquialisms.
“When you hear the words ‘One more time!’ or ‘Dad-gummit!’ you think of George,” she says.