42 say good-bye to school district|[5/19/06]

Published 12:00 am Friday, May 19, 2006

Rick Tillotson has thought about retiring as principal of Sherman Avenue Elementary for several years, but it wasn’t until two weeks ago he made the decision.

&#8220I’ll certainly miss the kids. I enjoy seeing them every day,” said Tillotson, a 1972 Warren Central graduate. &#8220It really makes me smile, and I’ll miss my peers, but it’s time.”

He’s been working in the Vicksburg Warren School District for 29 years, seven of which he’s spent as principal of Sherman Avenue, eight years at Bowmar and five years at Jett, where he also taught for 5 1/2 years.

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&#8220I went to school there when I was young, so it was nice to be able to give back to the school and the community,” he said.

Tillotson and 41 other school district employees were honored Thursday during a recognition ceremony and reception at Beechwood Elementary.

Candace Logue, a GATES teacher retiring from South Park, said she couldn’t be more excited about her upcoming free time.

&#8220Are you kidding?” she asked. &#8220I still love it, but I wanted to leave while I still loved it and before they say, ‘She used to be a good teacher.’”.

Logue, 52 and one of seven retiring from South Park, plans to spend her summer planning weddings – her daughter’s in September and her own to her high school sweetheart in the spring.

&#8220I’ll be busy, that’s for sure,” she said.

A combined total of nearly 1,200 years from all the retirees is a &#8220very long time,” Superintendent James Price told the retirees and their families at the ceremony.

&#8220We’re very sad to see them go, but they now will have time to spend with the families they’ve put off for the benefit of our children,” Price said. &#8220They’re some of the last of a dying breed of good teachers.”

Tillotson’s shoes will be filled by Dr. Janice Hatcher, currently the assistant principal of Warren Central Intermediate. Pam Wilbanks, principal of Warren Central Junior High, will take the place of Mack Douglas, principal at Warren Central High, and Dr. Wanda Fears, assistant principal at Vicksburg Intermediate, will replace Linda Herrod, principal at South Park Elementary.

&#8220There will be a lot of administrative changes, but I feel confident in all of them,” Price said.

After the retirement reception, the Board of Trustees met to approve a new Wellness Policy presented by Gail Kavanaugh, director of child nutrition.

The policy, mandated through the federal Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 focuses on providing students with the knowledge and skills to make nutritious food and physical activity choices.

The board adopted the policy to be implemented for the upcoming school year. Commitments to the policy include adding nutritious and appealing options such as fruits, yogurt, juice and water to vending machines, school stores and concessions stands, and encouraging the use of non-food rewards for student accomplishments.

&#8220We’re not eliminating anything; we’re simply adding healthy options,” Kavanaugh said.

Other commitments include encouraging teachers to include hydration breaks in their daily schedules and encouraging all students to participate in a yearly fitness test such as Fitness Gram or the President’s Challenge to Physical Fitness.

The board voted unanimously to accept the proposal.

RETIRING.

Beechwood