Jacoy Honored For 23 Years

WAITSBURG - Last Wednesday night, a room in Preston Hall packed with school district employees and community members honored the closure of Terry Jacoy's 23 years on the Waitsburg School Board.

Jacoy has served on the board since 1988. School board Chairman Ross Hamann said that in the time that Jacoy has been on the board, 590 kids have received their diplomas.

"When you do something like this, you don't do it with the idea of being remunerated," Jacoy said.

Jacoy said he enjoys looking back on his time on the board and all of the improvements to the district's facilities that have occurred during his time and all of the progress that has been made.

For Jacoy, he said it was really his job as a board member to serve the teachers, who all must act as parent, cop and judge in the classroom.

"It's important for the board to stand behind the teachers to do the best they can," Jacoy said.

He said schools haven't changed much over the past 60 years because they still are having budget trouble and are challenged by maintaining low teacher-to-student ratios. It takes dedication, he said, and offered that Christy House, who will take his place in the new year, will do a great job.

Dr. Carol Clarke said she was hired by Jacoy and the board in 2004 and he has is very conservative fiscally while remembering that children need a good education with optimal learning. She said he has been an entirely faithful and committed to his position on the school board.

"I'm going to miss him this year," she said.

In a Preston Hall science classroom, the community celebrated Jacoy with warm apple cider, coffee and cake for all in attendance. Staff members presented Jacoy cards and photographs from many of the classes in the district, from kindergarten through the senior class. Clarke gave him a Cardinal Pride pin for his commitment and dedication, which is typically presented to students who achieve high standards on assessments, she said.

Also, Jacoy was presented with a clock for his time on the board.

"It's been a great 23 years and it's been an education for 23 years," Jacoy said.