May 26, 2000
Lakota superintendent retiring July 1
By Cathy Willoughby
Staff Writer
After spending seven years with the Lakota School district in various capacities, Superintendent Judy Zimmerman has decided to take some time off.
Zimmerman, 54, is to retire from her position effective July 1, after finishing her second year at the helm of the school district.
She served as high school principal for three years before taking the head post and taught for two earlier in her career at Lakota. She also served as superintendent of the Woodmore district and principal of the middle school in West Muskingum near Zanesville.
"In our business you start to think about retirement at about 30 years,'' Zimmerman said. "The board has known since the fall.''
She said her biggest regret is not getting the operating levy passed after seven attempts at the ballot box.
"If the levy had passed, I would have been so delighted for the district,'' she said. "I feel badly that I couldn't get a levy passes.''
"i've loved the school district,'' Zimmerman added. "My husband is a 1964 graduate of Lakota; at one time he was a board member and so was his ex-wife. So we have a real sense of commitment to the school district.''
She and her husband, Bill, have donated $5,000 towards a scholarship fund for a student at the district who is pursuing vocational education after high school.
"His dad was a carpenter and mine was an electrician,'' she explained. "So both of us are committed to vocational education.''
One of the biggest challenges in the district, the elementary restructuring, was passed to her when she took her position as superintendent.
"It was my pleasure to administer the district in its new restructured phase. I've been pleased to see the results,'' Zimmerman said. "We are now beginning to reap the rewards of having the same age students and grade level teachers under one roof. Academically, it's been very good for our school district.''
She expressed appreciation to the community and staff she has worked with, at all of the levels of her time at Lakota.
"As a high school principal, I was pleased with the grants we were able to obtain to do special things for students and professional development activities for staff members,'' she said. "I think we should always be striving to improve what we do; I really believe in being a lifelong learner.''
She said that people in the district should cherish their traditions, but also look towards the future.
"We are using instructional practices that help children achieve at higher levels,'' Zimmerman explained. "I really think Lakota is no worse off than other districts. We have staff members who act so professionally. They are willing to make changes when they are in the best interests of the students. I am very pleased with their professionalism, even through the hardships.''
She is planning on taking it easy and enjoying her new home with her husband. Zimmerman also plans on continuing to work in education, perhaps by passing her knowledge on to those coming up in the ranks.
She has worked as an off-campus instructor at Bowling Green State University since 1997.
"I've been teaching masters-level administration courses, and it's certainly something I would like to continue in some way. With my vast experience, I feel I have a lot to offer.''