Hello Everyone,

After 34 years in the job that I wanted since my sophomore year of High School, I wish to announce my retirement at the end of this school year.

I have been truly blessed over the years to work with wonderful students, dedicated marching band staff, supportive parents, and a Band Boosters organization that was ALWAYS there for EVERYTHING.  I have also been fortunate to have worked with supportive administrations that have done the best they could to support the program.  I have been offered other positions over the years, programs with better support and/or better facilities (though we were given a wonderful new facility in 2019).  I never left because at the end of the day, it’s the PEOPLE that make education a fulfilling career, and it’s those people that have always proved my decision to stay at South High School and Willoughby Middle School to be the right one.

So why am I deciding to “pass the baton?”  I still tremendously enjoy the teaching and the people.  Having team teaching re-implemented in the band program this year has been a Godsend and has made this year less stressful and more productive  (thank you Dr. Ward!)  Unfortunately,. I am finding that especially after those 13+ hour days that my 60 year old body is beginning to say “dude, settle down already.”  I am growing more frustrated with the continuous distractions that get in the way of me working with kids and helping them get better.   My greatest frustration is with the continual threat of budgetary complications.  We had a VERY challenging financial time back in 2019 and just when you think things are getting better, the Legislature steps in.  Frankly, I am at a loss when the Legislature and County Commissioners decide to come in, look at the money that the Willoughby-Eastlake community knowingly approved to support their schools and say we don’t agree with the voters and are going to take that money away.  The arrogance to think that they know what is better for our schools than the residents of this community is appalling.  If the politicians are willing to ignore the will of the voters, what are their limits?  There are plenty of destructive ideas floating around Columbus right now that DO NOT make things better for our children’s education, and frankly, I’m not sure there is a limit to their poor decision making.  I simply can’t go through another 2019 ever again.

Looking back over the years, I have been able to share hundreds of wonderful performances and thousands of wonderful moments with the people involved in the program.  I am proud to have been able to witness the students have the honor of being invited to perform at the Ohio Music Education Association’s annual Professional Development Conference, to perform to a standing ovation on the stage of the world-renowned Severance Hall, to perform twice on the field of Ohio Stadium at Ohio State University, performances in Chicago, Niagara Falls and Toronto, marching 7 times down Main Street U.S.A at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando and to WORK HARD at earning 31 State Superior ratings with the Wind Symphony and the Marching Band.  Representing South High School at annual performances for our community in the Frontier Days / Last Stop Willoughby Parade, Willoughby Tree Lighting, Willoughby Hills Winterfest and the most important of them all, the annual Willoughby Memorial Day Parade.     

While I do look forward to having my first non-marching band summer since 1980, I know I will miss the work, the relationships, the making of music and watching the growth of the students from 6th through 12th grade.  It has been a wonderful ride, thanks to everyone for the experience!

Mr. P.