Dave Kline, Ed.D, the principal for the past three years at Turlock High, has officially announced his retirement after it was approved by the Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees this week.

The 58-year-old Kline, an educator for the past 35 years, had targeted the 2025-26 school year to start considering retirement. He said the time felt right to do so after the current school year.

“In my 35-year career, serving the Turlock community as a Bulldog has been an amazing job,” said Kline, a 1985 graduate of Oakdale High who went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis. He eventually earned a master’s degree from Chapman University and a doctorate from Brandman University. “It’s been my very best job as an educator, and I’m going to truly miss the kids.”

Kline’s career included teaching stops at Crowell Elementary, Osborn Two-Way Immersion Academy and Dutcher Middle School, where he first stepped into administration. He was an assistant principal at Robertson Road Elementary and Mark Twain Junior High in Modesto. He was principal at Roosevelt Junior High (Modesto) and Turlock Junior High, before moving to Newman-Crows Landing School District, where he was director of human resources. In 2018, Kline became the assistant superintendent of the Oakdale Joint Unified School District, ultimately being tabbed as superintendent in 2020.

Kline said he became interested in teaching in college while working as a security guard at a psychiatric center.

“I eventually started teaching classes there,” said Kline.

The announcement has generated an outpouring of appreciation from colleagues:

• “Dave always held his teachers to high standards and at the same time made sure they had support and encouragement to reach that standard. He made a point to make people feel valued and appreciated every day. He had a servant-first leadership style, which I always admired and respected. Above all, he was proud to be a Bulldog. He was a great principal and a good man who we'll miss at THS.” — Jared Jeffries, English teacher
• “Dave has been an amazing administrator since his arrival at THS. He never ceases to remind us that what we do matters. His enthusiasm for ‘being a Bulldog’ is evident and we truly have been lucky to have him on campus supporting the arts. He comes to every performance and makes sure to reach out to students to let them know what a great job they did. He often asks us for names of students to give a positive call home, and students are always so impressed by this. His care for the students and staff at THS has made working with him a great experience. We will definitely miss him when he retires, but we know he’ll always be a BULLDOG!” — Michele Van Nieuwenhuyzen, drama teacher.
• “Mr. Kline’s retirement announcement came too soon. Mr. Kline has shown support to every corner of our campus. In the short time I worked with Mr. Kline, I have felt supported, encouraged, and challenged. I wish him the very best in retirement, but I wish he were staying a few more years to finish some of the great work we have started!” — Jennifer Cullum, P.E./dance and cheer coach

Kline said one of the achievements of which he’s most proud is the creation of the STEM program with his team at TJHS (2009-14).

In nearly four decades as an educator, Kline said he remains encouraged by what he sees every day on campus.

“I have not lost faith in the future of this country,” said Kline. “Because the kids today are as inspired, hard-working, and dedicated as ever. But I will add that I think we’d all be better off without social media.”

Kline, married to the late Jill Kline (also an educator) and the father of two daughters, Emily and Abby (both THS graduates), said he has no immediate plans for his retirement.

“My plan is to have no plan,” said Kline. “How’s that?”