JERRY CITY – Elmwood is losing two longtime employees and district cheerleaders at the end of this school
year.
The board of education Monday officially accepted the retirements of middle school Principal Dean Bell
and high school Athletic Director Michele Story.
Both had indicated months ago their plans to retire, but now it’s official.
Bell has been with the district all 30 years of his career; Story, an Elmwood graduate, has worked there
20 years.
Their retirements are effective July 1, 2015. The couple’s long-term plan is to move to Florida, where
Story wants to become an event organizer for Disney.
During Bell’s years with the district since 1985, he has taught music; held the positions of EMIS
coordinator, cafeteria supervisor, building and grounds supervisor, dean of students/assistant principal
for both the middle school and high school; and is ending as middle school principal.
Over the years he’s also served as a bus driver, music department accompanist, head golf coach, junior
class advisor and musical director.
He is the last employee to have taught in all six Elmwood buildings.
This last year "really will be a celebration of being here," Bell said after the meeting.
Story, in her second job as student activities director, plans to put on "one big grand final
prom" in May.
She took over as AD in 2009.
A 1981 Elmwood graduate, it was Story’s dream to become a teacher. But when that didn’t work out, she
started her career at her alma mater in 1996 as secretary at the former Wayne Elementary building.
She became elementary secretary in the consolidated building in 2004, but soon started looking for a new
challenge.
Over the years, she has talked boys and girls basketball seniors into videotaping a message for their
parents to be shown as they ran out onto the court; and has promoted the school’s musicals, the jazz
supper and Taste of Royalty, a home tour fundraiser for prom, a staff badminton competition and a dance
marathon.
Her one wish before retiring is to have a state champion team, and the party she could then plan.
Both are looking for "a new adventure."
Superintendent Tony Borton announced the search for replacements will start within one month.
The AD post will be combined with assistant principal for both the middle school and high school.
There are internal candidates for both, and he expects external candidates as well.
"Enjoy your last year," he told the two.
"They’re going to be a tremendous loss. They’re going to be tough to replace," Borton said.
Also at the meeting, the board accepted the retirement of elementary teacher Pamela Ziebold.
Board members also accepted paying $1,398,670.58 for the new band room to Gilbane Company; $1.2 million
is for the addition, $25,612 for paving, and $132,387 for lights.
Borton also congratulated Andrew Davis, Ty Traxler, Kathy Long, Mike Messaros, Kerry Rothenbuhler and
Reid Rothenbuhler for their lifesaving measures at the Community Center when a patron suffered cardiac
arrest on Thursday.
"The people there probably saved his life," said board President Brian King.