Welcome to Bend-La Pine Schools!

Dr. Steve Cook

Note from Our Superintendent

It is my great honor to welcome you all to the 2021-22 school year for Bend-La Pine Schools. My name is Steve Cook and I am proud to serve as your new Superintendent.

For schools, September is always a time for new beginnings. That fresh start feeling is particularly strong this year as we put a long, tumultuous year in the rearview and join together with a renewed sense of optimism and hope. I am excited to start this new chapter alongside our community and create a year filled with learning, growth and connection.

During this first year together, I look forward to getting to know our community and begin to grow deep roots and forge strong connections. I know those deep roots take time, but I know a good way to start is to share a little about myself.

I am coming to Bend-La Pine Schools from Coeur d'Alene Public Schools in Idaho, where I served as Superintendent. My wife, Stephanie, and I have three grown children and a new rescue puppy. I am passionate about public education, having spent my life dedicated to serving schools and students. I spent 13 years as a teacher, 12 years as a building administrator, and am beginning my eighth year as a district administrator.

As a longtime educator, I believe strongly in trying to follow the Platinum Rule: treat others the way they want to be treated. In our schools, this means creating an environment in which every kid feels welcome, starting with small steps that can make a huge difference: Every kid gets eye contact, every kid gets a smile; and every kid hears their name used in a positive way. I also believe in holding students to high expectations where we won't accept anything less from them than their very best. When we have an anchor in great relationships, we can ask for great things.

I am honored to serve as your Superintendent and take seriously the responsibility of serving our 33 schools, more than 18,000 students and 2,000 staff members. I believe in our students, our staff and our community. Together, I believe we can forge strong connections and build even stronger schools.

I look forward to this fresh start and am optimistic for our future, together.

Dr. Steve Cook
Bend-La Pine Schools, Superintendent


About Bend-
La Pine Schools

Our Size

  • 5th largest school district in Oregon
  • 33 schools, plus two charter schools
  • 18,375 students
  • 2,005 staff members (Second Largest Employer in Central Oregon)
  • 1,600 square miles make up the Bend-La Pine Schools attendance area

Academic Success

  • More than 1,200 Students Graduated From Our High Schools in 2021
  • $8 Million in Scholarships Was Earned By the Class of 2019
  • Average SAT score is 57 Points Higher Than the State Average
  • 1,100 New Kindergarteners Started School This Fall
  • 34 Languages are Spoken by Bend-La Pine Schools Students
  • 20 Class of 2019 Members Earned Seal of Biliteracy on Their Diplomas

Our Staff

  • 82 percent of our teachers hold a masters degree or higher
  • $53,182 is the average new-hire teacher salary
  • 5 years is the average experience of our new teachers
  • $64,166 is the average teacher salary
  • 13 years is the average experience for our teachers
  • Home to: Oregon's Elementary Principal of the Year; Oregon's High School Principal of the Year; Oregon's Teacher of the Year; Oregon's Art Teacher of the Year; Oregon's School Nurse of the Year; Oregon's Journalism Teacher of the Year; Oregon's Culinary Teacher of the Year; Oregon's Athletic Director of the Year; a Presidential Award Winner for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching and many other state and national award winners.

Additional Information

  • More than 5,000 students are transported to school each day by our bus drivers.
  • More than 15,000 meals are served to students each day by the Nutrition Services team.
  • 2.21 million square feet of school building space is managed by our maintenance team.
  • For the 38th consecutive year, the district received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association and for the 37th year, the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials.
  • 43 Percent of Students are Enrolled in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program.
  • Community members spent more than 56,000 hours hosting events in our schools.