Commentary: Irvine’s first superintendent had that ‘vision thing’

Editor’s note: A. Stanley Corey, the founding superintendent of the Irvine Unified School District, died at his Arroyo Grande home at age 89 on Dec. 30, according to the school district. John Rajcic was the original business manager at the district. He now lives in Ramona.

The Irvine Unified School District began, in part, with students being housed in commercial and residential buildings, a church and the Army Reserve Center.

There were no attorneys or policies that discouraged individual initiative and discretion. Then-Supt. A. Stanley Corey encouraged people to take the initiative, and in so doing, to take risks.

He would say, “If we have to overcome every objection, significant things would not be done.”

“Just do it, John, if you think it is a good idea,” still rings in my head.

We had a trust between us and could share our innermost thoughts.

Corey’s school board had strong and divergent points of view, but he guided them to the same page. The urgency was such that board agendas were put together at the board meetings.

No rehearsals. Just a lot of trust.

Someone said, “If it was not for time, everything would happen at once.”

It did happen all a once in the early days of the district. Urgency was such that the district brought on line an instant school before the streets were approved by the county. Corey’s strength in the formation of the school district lies in the fact that he was not risk averse.

After unification, the tax rate to operate the district was less than minimal. Getting Corey’s vision for the district off the ground seemed impossible. It was the most trying and difficult task to convince the reluctant governor’s fiscal director to place the tax rate before the Legislature for a vote. With the Legislature having plenary power over education, this impossible feat became a reality.

Corey made the good ideas belong to the other guy. Corey had that vision thing and an uncanny ability to let the other guy take the credit for the good works. The board put its trust in him. Corey, in turn, placed his trust in those who worked closely with him.

I had the innocuous title of associate superintendent of fiscal planning, research and development. Corey would stroke me by calling me his deputy.

Corey, like all of us, had peaks and valleys in his life. The purpose of the peak is to celebrate life. The purpose of the valley is to learn about life. I not only learned much about life from my association with him but I also celebrate that relationship to this day.

I do not believe Corey accepted anyone’s definition of himself. Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment. Corey knew who he was. He had a worldview that many did not see. He wanted people to be successful, even at his own expense. Character is manifested in great moments; it is made in small ones.

It is times like these, when we celebrate life, that reinforce those values we hold dear and civilize us: family, love, work, education, friendship and caring. Corey was a good man. His word was his bond, and he delivered more than he promised. Corey knew the reward for virtue is virtue and that the only way to have a friend is to be one.

He was my friend. All the world was his stage. He had his entrances and exits, and he played his roles exceptionally well. Faith is the belief that in the impossible it is possible, that God, time and eternity are one, that both life and death are meaningful. Faith ordains that the dearest friends must part. Words that come from the heart go to the heart.