Auditorium name change will honor Parker

Thursday, December 13, 2007
Vickie Parker

A new name will be given to the auditorium in McAnally Center to honor a retiring teacher who has put years of hard work into the stage productions for Greencastle High School.

That honor will be given to Vickie Parker, who will retire at the end of the current school year after 24 years with GHS.

Supt. Robert Green made that recommendation to Greencastle School Board members Mark Kannowski, Barry Fisher, Mike Dean, Barbara Bryan and Jack Berry during their monthly meeting Wednesday.

And they unanimously agreed with the recommendation.

"I don't think there's anyone out there who's put more into that building," board president Dean said, noting that he was one of Parker's students, and he was hoping his children would have the opportunity to learn from her as well.

The honor brought tears to Parker, who did not know that the issue was to be voted on Wednesday.

"I'm humbled, to say the least," Parker said. "It's ironic. The very first show I ever directed was on that stage for the Putnam County Playhouse."

The most recent production on the stage, "High School Musical", was also the largest production ever for her on the GHS stage with 127 students involved. It was also one of the most popular shows presented.

Supt. Green noted that the corporation policy is that a facility cannot be named for an active employee. However, Parker will be retiring at the end of the current school year. Her resignation due to retirement was approved among the personnel items handled near the close of the meeting.

In other business, the board:

* Agreed to purchase a new wheelchair bus for $76,000, a 14-passenger activity bus for $43,350, as well as two 84-passenger school buses for $89,127 each, minus trade-in credits on two older buses.

* Heard a presentation on a pandemic flu plan to be added to the school district crisis plan. The board will vote on approval at its January meeting.

* Granted approval for end-of-the-year fund transfers to make sure all accounts finish the year with a positive balance. The board also approved a resolution to advertise to borrow funds for 2008 if it becomes necessary. Green said with the uncertainty of school funding, he wants to be prepared to borrow if the ned arises.

* A donation of $2,400 from the Deer Meadow PTO to be used for teacher classroom supplies.

* Learned that the corn boiler at the high school was tested recently and the results have not been reported. Green said as soon as the state gives the "green light" for use of the boiler, it will be used on a regular basis to offset heating costs.

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  • While I do respect Vicki Parker I do not agree the name change is justified. 24 years is fine but a career is more like 30-40 years. Place the name of a respected President or Statesman is one thing but to name after someone locally who died or retired will soon wear off. Someone not so many years ago decided McAnally Ctr. now Supt. Green says Parker, next year a new Board or Supt. mignt say Michael Ctr. after the retiring Mayor. In short it never ends.

    -- Posted by Trying hard on Thu, Dec 13, 2007, at 10:54 AM
  • Kudos to the Greencastle School Board for honoring Ms. Parker! She is one of the most respected teachers in the community and has positively impacted countless students over the course of her career. The change is MORE than justified...it is well deserved! I respectfully disagree with the above comment. Naming a facility after an individual who has compassionately touched the lives of so many local residents WILL last a lifetime!!

    -- Posted by stewy724 on Thu, Dec 13, 2007, at 5:46 PM
  • In response to Pointer's comment.

    With all do respect, Is 24 years of excellence not enough?

    Sure they could have named it "The George W. Bush Ctr." and everyone could reflect daily on W's brightest moments/comments/and intellect when they visit the auditorium, but instead they chose to name it after a woman who has touched hundreds of student's lives, brought years of fine entertainment to a town that in times lacked it, and is and always will be the best at what she does.

    With all do respect, your comment was a slap in the face to a great woman, and every student who has had the privilege to be taught by the best in the business.

    I'm having a hard time understanding why anyone would name the auditorium after someone who hasn't taught, performed, or even stepped inside the building.

    That auditorium has been her home for the past 24 years, and it's only fitting that it's named after the woman of the house.

    Not George W., Evan Bayh, Dick Cheaney, or any other politician who could give two craps about an auditorium in a town they've never heard of.

    Sincerely,

    Just one of hundreds of students that will remember Parker for the rest of their life.

    -- Posted by Pinkerton86 on Thu, Dec 13, 2007, at 10:35 PM
  • I'm a little confused. Is just the auditorium going to be named after her or is the entire McAnally Center going to be changed to be named after her? Either way, I think it's a great idea. I was just curious.

    -- Posted by indtonyc on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, at 9:21 AM
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