Principal set to retire
ADAMS TWP — The principal of the Mars Middle School will retire at the end of the current school year.
Emotions were high at Tuesday night's school board meeting, where acting superintendent William Pettigrew announced “with regret” that Rich Cornell sought the board's approval of his resignation after nearly 14 years as the school's leader.
Board President Dayle Ferguson said the retirement will cap a 40-year career in education for Cornell, who previously served in the Washington School District first as a teacher and then as a principal.
“He is an integral part of our district and a respected leader, colleague and friend to many in this room, in his school building and in our community,” Ferguson said.
“Rich, it's almost impossible to imagine the middle school without you,” she said.
Ferguson said Cornell set the bar very high at the middle school.
She wished Cornell relaxing mornings, shorter commutes than his current drive from his home in Washington County and “countless trips to trout-filled lakes near and far.”
Cornell called his retirement “a difficult decision.”
“I love the place where I'm working, the kids, the families and the teachers,” Cornell said. “It's been a dream job.”
He said his first order of business upon retirement will be spending time with his family and trying to get accustomed to the idea of having his days to himself.
Cornell said he is considering at least some work in education, possibly in a consulting capacity.
He said constantly emerging technology is the biggest change in education since he began his career as a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher 40 years ago.
Cornell said he is proud the high school program in which each student receives a laptop is moving to the middle school next year.“I'm pleased to be a part of getting it off the ground this year,” he said.Pettigrew, who was Mars' superintendent when Cornell was hired, called him a great principal and a great friend.“I'm sorry to see him retire, but I'm happy for him,” Pettigrew said. “He deserves it.”The unanimous vote to approve Cornell's resignation also included the resignations of three fifth-grade teachers from the Centennial School, who also are retiring.They are Lou Ann Mattock, Minette Thompson and Susan Wingfield.“It is always a bittersweet occasion to say goodbye, but all of these fine educators truly deserve the blessings of a healthy and peaceful retirement,” Ferguson said.
