Eric Myers is again leaving Bowling Green Schools, and this time he says it’s for
good.Myers will end his 12-year run on the school board at the end of this month. He chose not to run
for reelection.This is Myers’ second time "retiring" from the school district.In 2000, he
stepped down as assistant superintendent.He has spent 41 years working for and leading the
district.During his years here, he also has served as special needs and work experience teacher;
wrestling, golf, football and girls track coach; as high school athletic director; and high school
principal."It’s had its moments," he said about being on the opposite side of running the
district as a school board member."I felt I had some unusual background (to run) for school
board," Myers said about the decision he made 12 years ago. "This seemed to be something I
knew something about."Myers graduated in 1969 from Ohio Wesleyan University with a degree in
politics and government.He spent three years as a teacher in Monroeville before coming to Bowling
Green.He’s most proud of watching the tremendous successes of the students and watching teachers work
hard to get students those successes.He does not have fond memories of the district’s exploring the
redistricting of elementary buildings.That "most certainly is a dead issue," he stated.And
then there is the defeat of the last levy, specifically the how and why it was defeated."People
spent so much money defeating the levy and to bad-mouth teachers."He’s been in Bowling Green since
1972 and he has never seen so much negativity about school staff."The teachers could not help but
take it personally."He’s also pleased with the opportunity he has had to serve with the other four
board members.They’re "willing to work together … always looking out for what’s best for our
children.""He is a wonderful colleague," said Ellen Scholl, who has served with Myers for
eight years on the school board.Myers is a "font of information" with his knowledge of laws
and district policies, she added."He was our go-to person in just about every area," said
Superintendent Ann McVey."Schools are a passion for him. He sees somebody who has a problem and
does his best to fix it," Scholl said.Myers has quietly gone about the business of helping
individuals and families without recognition for it, shared McVey."He might retire from the schools
but he’ll never retire from continuing to give to children and families," she stated.He has an
uncanny way of knowing needs: providing gifts for a certain occasion, providing fifth-grade camp fees,
and helping students who may not come up with fees for school activities."I’m sure there are many,
many things he has done that I’m not aware of," McVey said.Myers will continue teaching full time
at Bowling Green State University through May, when he will retire after 12 years."That’ll be the
third retirement as my wife so aptly puts it," he quipped.He now teaches undergrads the
organization of schools, and graduates on becoming principals and superintendents. He hopes to return
teaching part time at BGSU in the fall and add an Honors seminar on school choice."They keep you
young and active," he said about his daily interaction with students.He requires his students to
attend one school board meeting, not necessarily in Bowling Green, but his 409 students have often been
in the audience at the monthly meetings."They need to know the role of the board," he
explained.Over the summer he will work on his golf game – "it needs a lot of work" – and walk
the dogs.He and his wife, Linda, also likely will visit their grandchildren in Michigan and South
Carolina.And he plans to continue volunteering in town, for the holiday parade and the Black Swamp Arts
Festival, specifically. He’ll also stay involved with the Portage Lions Club.Myers said he will miss
keeping up to date on what’s going on in the district."It’s been part of my life for 41
years."