Last modified: Thursday, May 24, 2007 2:32 PM PDT Retiring New Plymouth High School principal Arlo Decker checks in with freshman Casey Smith, 15, in the hallway during class at the school Wednesday morning. After 35 years in the New Plymouth school district, Decker is retiring. Reflections of a high school principal By Jennifer Colton - Argus Observer New Plymouth - With the number of student days fast disappearing, the hallways at New Plymouth High School will soon be silent as principal Arlo Decker will end a career spanning more than three decades. Born in Paul, Idaho, Decker first came to New Plymouth in 1972 after he graduated from Boise State University. “I came here in fall of 1972 with the idea I was going to stay one year,” Decker said Wednesday from his nearly empty office. “I fell in love with the place. I thought I was going to move on to bigger and better things, but after I came here and got to know the staff and the students, I decided there wasn’t anything bigger and better.” Decker said he went into the education field because he wanted to coach, and “in those days” most coaches had to be teachers. Decker coached 20 years of track, 15 years of football and two years of basketball during his tenure at the high school, and he said one attraction to a school New Plymouth’s size is that students can be involved in sports, music and clubs all at the same time. “If the students have a desire to do it, they can do it,” Decker said. “I remember at a game right after I started, some of our football players got up during halftime and started playing with the band. They still do that sometimes.” Decker first worked for the high school teaching health, science and physical education. He then earned his administrative degree and took on the principal position in 1992. “I can honestly say I haven’t enjoyed administration as much as I enjoyed teaching, but it’s been fun,” he said. “I love kids, I love my job, and once this is over, they can find me hunting, fishing or woodworking, which are — other than my family — my three loves in life.” Decker said he plans to take a year off but that he would consider finding another job after that year. “I really don’t want to leave this area,” he said. “I like the people here, I like the area. It’s kind of become home. If I do go back to work, I’m sure it will be someplace close.” Seeing school sports teams take seven state championships and high test scores at the high school ranked high on Decker’s list of achievements. “We have the highest ISAT scores of all the schools around here, and we pride ourselves on that,” he said. “I think New Plymouth High School, and even beyond — the superintendent, the board, the other schools — we have the most amazing people, so I think they’ll continue to be successful. There’s no way they can’t.” The last day of school for students is June 1, but Decker will continue until June 15, he said. School duties will then transfer to the incoming principal, Bicker Therien. “Every other day I have second thoughts about it (retirement),” Decker said. “I’ll miss being around kids and I’ll miss my staff. I love it here, but it’s just time to go.”