MONROE - Jim Brunette, the longtime principal at Parkside Elementary School, has decided to postpone retirement for at least two more years.
Brunette said last year he planned to retire at the end of this school year. The last three years have been marked by increasing budget constraints within the district, which forced a number of cuts.
"It seemed like it was three years of nothing but cutting programs," he said.
A successful referendum last spring has helped alleviate that pressure, Brunette said. While the district still is conscious of budget constraints, it's not cutting services, he said.
Now that things have stablized, he said, he can spend more time on the part he likes best about being an elementary school teacher - working with students and their parents.
"It's enjoyable not just wondering what we're going to cut next," he said.
He had discussed the possiblity of retiring last summer with Superintendent Larry Brown, who asked Brunette to think about it and let him know by the first of the year. Brunette said he told Brown around Christmas that he was going to postpone retirement.
Brunette has been principal at Parkside since it opened in 1986. He joined the district in 1977, first working as a traveling principal for East, South, Browntown and Hiawatha schools for nine years before those elementary schools were combined into Parkside.
Brunette accepted the two-year contract, which would carry him though the end of the 2009-2010 school year, after the school board approved all adminstrative contracts at the end of January.
He said he's not sure if he will retire after that or not.
"It's open-ended," he said. "But I plan to be here at least two more years."
Brunette said last year he planned to retire at the end of this school year. The last three years have been marked by increasing budget constraints within the district, which forced a number of cuts.
"It seemed like it was three years of nothing but cutting programs," he said.
A successful referendum last spring has helped alleviate that pressure, Brunette said. While the district still is conscious of budget constraints, it's not cutting services, he said.
Now that things have stablized, he said, he can spend more time on the part he likes best about being an elementary school teacher - working with students and their parents.
"It's enjoyable not just wondering what we're going to cut next," he said.
He had discussed the possiblity of retiring last summer with Superintendent Larry Brown, who asked Brunette to think about it and let him know by the first of the year. Brunette said he told Brown around Christmas that he was going to postpone retirement.
Brunette has been principal at Parkside since it opened in 1986. He joined the district in 1977, first working as a traveling principal for East, South, Browntown and Hiawatha schools for nine years before those elementary schools were combined into Parkside.
Brunette accepted the two-year contract, which would carry him though the end of the 2009-2010 school year, after the school board approved all adminstrative contracts at the end of January.
He said he's not sure if he will retire after that or not.
"It's open-ended," he said. "But I plan to be here at least two more years."