 Plymouth Community Schools Superintendent Dr. John Hill (center back) was honrored at an open house Thursday. Hill, with wife Peggy (back left); his parents, Guy and Helen Hill, son Brian and grandson Owen. Also attending were (not pictured) daughter-in-law Annie and grandson Thomas. Other children of John and Peggy were not able to attend after the event was postponed. By Carol Anders
Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH — It’s almost impossible to hold a surprise retirement party for an individual that is as well known and appreciated as Plymouth Community Schools Super-intendent Dr. John Hill.
The event was initially scheduled for Tuesday as part of the annual staff holiday gathering. However, weather conditions led to the cancellation of school for the day and the event was held on Thursday instead.
Hill said he finally had an inkling that something might be planned on Tuesday. Hill said, “To keep the secret, my wife, Peggy, was hiding the newspapers at home and the staff at the Administration Office was hiding newspapers at work. I became a little suspicious then.”
Dr. Hill announced his intention to retire earlier this year. He has accepted a position with the Rural Education Association that will be located at Purdue University. He leaves the Plymouth School Corporation after 12 years of service.
Dr. Hill was filled with emotion as he spoke briefly to those gathered in his honor saying, “It’s been a great job.” He added, as he has done before, “We have champions in every building.”
He was presented with a mantel clock from the Plymouth Schools by Assistant Superintendent Dan Tryee. Tyree also presented Hill with a written announcement that a community resident donated an eight-night vacation for the Hills in Cancun, Mexico.
Tyree said, “I went to the school board meeting when Dr. Hill was hired just to see who the new boss would be. I didn’t know then that he would become a friend, a mentor, and coach.” Tyree said Hill has been a positive director fiscally and educationally.
Tyree said, “John (Hill) has been my boss for 12 years, but more importantly, he’s been my teacher. I’ve learned so much from him. I’m really going to miss him.”
Other honored guests at the event were his wife Peggy and his parents, Guy and Helen Hill. Hill grew up in the Akron, Indiana area where his parents owned a grocery store. Although several of the children of Peggy and John were planning on attending the surprise appreciation gathering, only son Brian and wife Annie and grandchildren, Owen and Thomas, were able to attend on the Thursday date. The Hills have three other grandchildren.
Jeff Honzik, former director of the United Way and the Community Foundation, shared his appreciation through an Email for the work that Hill has accomplished in the community. Honzik wrote, “It is hard to believe that John (Hill) has been here for 12 years. When he arrived in Plymouth, he immediately enrolled in the Leadership Marshall County (LMC) class, joined the United Way board and is currently in his 3rd term (9 years). He served as the Chair of the Planning Committee for the United Way organization and helped to create the website for United Way and electronic giving.”
Hill became the chair of the LMC Steering Committee when former Chair Bill Shustowski relocated out of the area.
Although he was not able to be at the event, John Buxton, Head of Culver Academies, shared his thoughts on the leadership displayed by Hill.Buxton wrote, “John was the perfect person to lead Leadership Marshall County. He cares about the county. He is a wonderful combination of old school and new school and he has a steady hand on the rudder at all times.”
Buxton also spoke of the leadership of Hill in other ways. Buxton said, “John loves the creative process, so he initiates many new concepts to help improve the process of developing leaders for the community.”
Local businessman John Oliver had this to say about Dr. Hill. Oliver said, “One of the highest profile positions in any community is that of school superintendent. Dr. Hill’s tenure has been especially so because he has asserted himself in matters which are, by their very nature, controversial.” He added, “I’ve been impressed by his convictions, stamina and achievements in providing facilities and organization for the educational demands of all student's in today’s society.”
Culver School Superintendent Brad Schuldt shared his appreciation for the expertise of Dr. Hill. Schuldt said, “Many superintendents in the area used John for advice on different matters.”
“He deserved to be named Educator of the Year in 2001 by the Association of School Superintendents,” said Schuldt.
Oliver concurred with that viewpoint. Oliver said, “Dr. Hill’s ability to empower individual educators to excel in an increasingly governmental structured environment is not fully appreciated. We are all measured by the difference we make in whatever our endeavors may be. Dr. Hill’s contributions to Plymouth Community School Corporation and the greater community it serves are profound and will prove to be a worthy legacy for an outstanding administrator.”
School board member Ron Gifford knows first hand how valuable Hill has been in the development of the school’s programs and building expansions. Gifford said, “His leaving is major loss, not only to the schools, but to other organizations. He has expertise in fiscal matters, curriculum and testing. It’s hard to find a superintendent with that many specialties.”
Peggy Hill expects their daily lives to change as Dr. Hill navigates into his new position. Peggy Hill said, “It’s going to be different. I’m the one who’s usually traveling and now John will be.”
According to John Hill, they will not be leaving the Plymouth area. Hill said, “This is our home. We love this community.” They do expect, however, to spend time near the Purdue campus.
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