Larimore to retire at end of school year

By Nancy Spencer, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Wednesday, October 15, 2008 (2 months, 3 weeks ago)
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DELPHOS — Delphos City School Board members will need to find a new Franklin Elementary principal before the end of this school year after veteran Tim Larimore announced his retirement at Monday’s meeting.
Larimore has filled the position for 12 years, serving in education for more than 35.
“They say you just know when it’s time to go and it’s time for me to go,” Larimore said this morning. “I’ve had my letter ready since August and there’s really no doubt in my mind that I’m ready. I’m looking forward to facing new challenges in retirement.”
Larimore began his career as a sixth-grade teacher at Bath for eight years and then was sixth-grade math teacher for 8 1/2 more.
“I came to the point in my career where I had to make the choice to stay in the classroom or to become an administrator. A lot of people encouraged me and said I would be a good leader, so I made the change,” Larimore said. “I have enjoyed working with the teachers and making sure they have the resources they need to provide the best possible education to students.”
He served as Elida Middle School assistant principal for 6 1/2 years and then was offered the position at Franklin.
“When I came to Franklin, there was a veteran staff and I knew that I would have to replace a number of them while I was there,” Larimore said. “What I am most proud of is the staff we have assembled here during my tenure. They truly want what’s best for our students and I think our test scores and the ‘Excellent’ rating on our building report card reflect that. We have a great staff, great kids, great parents and a very supportive community.”
Larimore will finish this year and help acclimate his replacement.
As far as sitting back and enjoying retirement, Larimore doesn’t see that in the cards.
“I’m going to play some golf, my second passion next to my wife, and I have some ideas of what I want to do. We’ll have to see how they work out. I don’t see myself just sitting at home,” he added.
Board members thanked Larimore for his service and wished him well.
Larimore also gave an update on Franklin Elementary. The building earned an “Excellent Rating with Distinction” on the recently-released Report Card. The building met 10 of the 10 indicators.
There are 441 students at Franklin, including 78 in kindergarten; 74 in first grade; 62 in second grade; 80 in third grade; 73 in fourth grade; and 74 in fifth grade. Of the 441 students, 50 students are new to the district and 38 are open-enrollment students.
The structural problem that caused four classrooms to be evacuated and moved to St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church on Pierce Street has been repaired and passed inspection. Larimore again thanked the church, pastor and parishioners for providing a place for those classes and the City of Delphos for closing Pierce Street the last month of school so students could travel to and from the church without having to deal with traffic.
Larimore also outlined his goals for his final year at Franklin:
— Continuing to excel on building Report Card;
— Increasing parent involvement with grades posted online; and
— Continuing professional development with K-2 teachers, focusing on differentiated instruction, including examining lesson structure and evaluation tools; and grades 3-5 teachers, focusing on creating assessment tools for the building’s curriculum mapping.
In other business, the board approved the 5-year forecast to be submitted to auditors at the end of this month. The district’s ending balance in 2013 is -$458,834. This figure includes current funding and revenues and expenditures.
Superintendent Jeff Price said he is still concerned about recent budget cuts announced by Governor Ted Strickland’s office.
“They are not direct cuts but still affect us through other funding,” Price said. “The auxiliary funds are on the chopping block and that will also affect St. John’s Schools.”
The FFA and senior class trips were approved. The FFA will travel to Indianapolis for the annual National Convention later this month. Seniors will travel to New York City for three days of sightseeing, Broadway plays and other activities in March.
FFA member Dulton Moore will also travel to Iowa to present his essay at the World Food Prize Youth Initiative. Advisor Lucy Bambauer will accompany him.
In other business, the board:
• Approved Sue Truesdale as cashier in the Franklin cafeteria;
• Approved Stacy Roethlisberger as junior varsity softball coach.
The next meeting will begin at 8 p.m. Nov. 10.

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