MONROE - Parkside Elementary School Principal Jim Brunette is "sure this year" that he is retiring.
Brunette had announced his retirement last year, but was asked by District Administrator Larry Brown to reconsider and stay another year.
Brunette has served as principal in the Monroe school district for just over 32 years. His last day of classes is Friday.
"It's all I ever really wanted to do," he said Monday.
Brunette said he has not been counting down the days until he retires, and has few retirement plans in mind, except for visiting his far-flung family members.
"I'm going to take the first half year to decide," said Brunette, who golfs and reads for enjoyment.
"The kids and staff" are what he will miss the most, "but not the paperwork, and meetings and committees," he laughed.
And, Brunette won't miss the fear of students getting hurt.
"There's always a worry about safety when you get 150 kids together," he said. "I'll be glad not to have the worry."
Brunette taught three years in Monroe's old South Elementary School, before teaching in Oregon for two years. He returned to Monroe School District as a traveling principal for East, South, Browntown and Hiawatha schools.
"I applied as a 27-year-old, on a whim, and didn't expect to get it," Brunette said.
When Hiawatha and Browntown shut down and East and South schools combined, Parkside school was built in 1986. Brunette has been its principal ever since.
Brunette had announced his retirement last year, but was asked by District Administrator Larry Brown to reconsider and stay another year.
Brunette has served as principal in the Monroe school district for just over 32 years. His last day of classes is Friday.
"It's all I ever really wanted to do," he said Monday.
Brunette said he has not been counting down the days until he retires, and has few retirement plans in mind, except for visiting his far-flung family members.
"I'm going to take the first half year to decide," said Brunette, who golfs and reads for enjoyment.
"The kids and staff" are what he will miss the most, "but not the paperwork, and meetings and committees," he laughed.
And, Brunette won't miss the fear of students getting hurt.
"There's always a worry about safety when you get 150 kids together," he said. "I'll be glad not to have the worry."
Brunette taught three years in Monroe's old South Elementary School, before teaching in Oregon for two years. He returned to Monroe School District as a traveling principal for East, South, Browntown and Hiawatha schools.
"I applied as a 27-year-old, on a whim, and didn't expect to get it," Brunette said.
When Hiawatha and Browntown shut down and East and South schools combined, Parkside school was built in 1986. Brunette has been its principal ever since.