Wiatt - Retirement

Darrell Wiatt will be retiring after 39 years of service to North Putnam Community School Corporation.

He started teaching in the fall of 1972, then in the fall of 1975 became one of the youngest principals ever at North Putnam. He was principal at Russellville Elementary School for 12 years, then returned to teaching.

Darrell has taught grades 2, 3, 4, 6 and 6, and during summer school, grades 7 and 8. He has also taught the gifted and talented classes and was in charge of the remediation program, library and audio-visual programs for the corporation.

During his 39 years, many were spent teaching fourth grade at Bainbridge Elementary School.

Wiatt was also presented with the Roachdale Optimist Teacher of the Year and listed in Who's Who as an Outstanding Young American.

He is currently an elder at the Russellville Community Church, where he has also served as Sunday school superintendent, organist, pianist, song leader and choir director. He has served as president of the Russellville Community Center since 1999. He was on the Putnam County 4-H Council for six years and is presently serving on the Putnam County 4-H Fair Board.

He served five years as a board member for the Putnam County Community Foundation. The Wiatts started the Russellville Community Center Endowment Fund with the foundation.

Darrell and wife Cindy have four children. The oldest, Darren, will be a senior and Purdue University and lives in Lafayette. Darrick recently married and is living in Russellville. The twins, Ben and Bethany, are 15 years old and are freshmen at North Putnam and excel in sports and reside with their parents.

An open house will be held for Wiatt and Beverly Barnhart on Wednesday, May 18 from 3-5 p.m. at the Bainbridge Elementary School library. All former students, parents of former students, friends and relatives are welcome to attend. Please omit gifts, but cards with special memories would be very much appreciated.