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Reflections of a high school principal



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.
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.”




Comment Blog - Note: All Comments Subject To Approval

No Dhimmi wrote on Aug 14, 2009 9:38 PM:

" Islam is a woman-hating, human-enslaving ideology that should NOT be taught in our public schools. It's obvious the Saudis and the rest of the Muslim fanatics who are trying to take over the world have bought off the State of Oregon. Expect lawsuits.

And this isn't "racist," because Islam is not a race, anymore than Communism or Nazism are races, both of which killed far fewer people than Islam.

Disgusting. "

anonymous wrote on Aug 10, 2009 2:19 AM:

" The girl was Latasha Rodriguez "

Cody W. Ables wrote on May 16, 2008 11:04 PM:

" May 16, 2008

Here is something that we should all read. This is a letter from an angry woman in New Jersey regarding the War in Iraq and all of the war’s negative publicity. Pay attention.

'Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001?

Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan, across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania?

Did nearly three-thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was 'desecrated' when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don't. I don't care at all.

I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia .

I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.

I'll care when the cowardly so-called 'insurgents' in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.

I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.

When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don't care.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed 'special' food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don't care.

Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!

If you don't agree, then by all means quit reading. Should you choose to do so, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great Country! And may I add:

'Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem' -- Ronald Reagan

I have another quote that I would like to add

'If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.' Also by.. Ronald Reagan

One last thought for the day:

In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the Anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England 's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said: 'A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.'

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
Important for us all!!!!
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM. AMEN!’


I hope you take this woman’s viewpoint into consideration. It closely parallels my own. As I begin my journey in becoming a soldier of the greatest country in the world, hearing this woman’s words sets my heart at ease. It is warming to know that there are people in this great country who still care about those men and women who have no choice.


Cody W. Ables
U.S. Air Force Academy 2012
"


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