Hesler retiring from GHS after 40 years at June end

Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Russ Hesler

After serving Greencastle High School in more capacities than its multi-purpose room over the past 40 years, Principal Russ Hesler announced Monday that this will be his final year and he will retire effective June 30.

Hesler made the announcement to his Professional Learning Communities (PLC) group Monday morning and the Greencastle Community School Corporation (GCSC) School Board made it official at its February meeting Monday night.

Hesler, who came to GHS as its wood shop/graphic arts/industrial tech teacher in 1978 and will leave after five years as its principal, said the decision came with “a heavy heart but no regrets as I celebrate 40 years of Greencastle putting up with me.”

He only taught at one place but wore many hats -- all of them purple and gray.

“If there was a job that needed to be done,” the 62-year-old Hesler smiled, “I somehow got demoted .. ‘er, promoted to do it.”

Besides teaching numerous disciplines, Hesler also taught driver’s education, and served as attendance officer, assistant principal (12 years ... “that’s got to be a record”), athletic director, interim principal (four times) and finally principal. That’s not to mention his 24 years as an assistant football coach for the Tiger Cubs and 18 years as wrestling coach, where he fashioned a record of some 230 victories.

“I’ve been through many superintendents and many more principals,” Hesler said, recalling that one time during his dozen years as assistant principal, he also taught a class, was attendance officer and served as athletic director at the same time.

“The bottom line,” he continued, “is it’s all been about the kids. And when you’re having legacies of legacies come back to these halls, you know you’re getting old.”

The GHS principal said he was talking with some senior students Tuesday and commiserating on how fast it is coming to an end.

“We’ve got spring break and prom and Academic Super Bowl, and before you know it another one’s in the books and the eighth-graders are freshmen and the seniors are off to college.

“Watch that happen 40 times, it’s like a miracle.”

Forty years is a long time at one job, Hesler conceded.

“That’s a lot of memories,” he added. “A lot of good memories. Some headaches and some heartaches. Whether you’re shop-teaching or being principal, you never know what tomorrow will bring.

“But it’s always a great day to be a Tiger Cub,” Hesler concluded, uttering, of course, his patented GHS loyalty phrase.

Meanwhile, in other personnel matters, the school board approved:

-- The resignation of Mark Jedele as physics and earth/space science teacher at GHS, effective May 25. Jedele also resigned his extracurricular roles as assistant cross country and assistant track coach at GHS, effective the end of the season.

-- The resignation of Sydney Dickerson as Spanish teacher at GHS, effective May 25.

-- The resignation of Donetta Friend as second-shift custodian at GHS, effective Jan. 15.

-- The resignation of Virginia Wilson as second-shift custodian at Tzouanakis Intermediate, effective Feb. 3.

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  • I can say as his secretary, and working at a couple of other schools, that he has been the best principal I have worked with. He is good with the students yet strict with them following the rules. Mr. Hesler was one person I looked forward to coming to school to work with, he is always easy to joke with. I will miss him when he is gone, yet I am happy for him to be able to be on no time clock and enjoy each day by choosing what he wants to do not needs to do.

    -- Posted by rebeccaarnold87 on Wed, Feb 28, 2018, at 7:21 AM
  • If you were in sports he was good for you, if not then not so good. I look forward to someone not so biased with the students!

    -- Posted by Falcon9 on Wed, Feb 28, 2018, at 8:14 AM
  • Good riddance.

    Those who know, understand.

    Despite this glowing review, there were many dark days and inappropriate behaviors/actions from this man during his long and vaunted tenure.

    I hope the school board does better next go around, but I don't put much hope into it considering their current superintendent.

    -- Posted by AverageWhiteGuy on Wed, Feb 28, 2018, at 2:06 PM
  • Careful AverageWhiteGuy, i posted a very similar criticism and the BG staff seems to have thought it needed to be removed. Apparently thou must not criticize someone in a position of authority. Your take is much closer to mine and i would suspect the majority of people who have had the misfortune of dealing with Mr. Hessler. BaldEagle is exactly right, if you were in wrestling / football / basketball you could get away with ANYTHING in that school (everyone else - throw the book at them). I only had to deal with him when he was the assistant principal and can only imagine how much worse it has gotten once he became the principal.

    I think the school board just gave him this job because they were tired of hiring people without ties to the community only to have them move on to other jobs after 1-2 years, so they hired someone who was manifestly UNQUALIFIED for the job but wasn't going anywhere (because lets be honest, who else would hire him). Hope they do a better job this time, but if history is any lesson the will not

    -- Posted by hometownboy on Wed, Feb 28, 2018, at 3:38 PM
  • Yep that's Hesler,always building himself up and talking about all his wins from 20 years ago. Meanwhile being too thick to realize no one wanted him as principle, he just never left and the board got tired of rehiring. This man never should have been in charge of that HS. If you ever heard him speak you would doubt he even went to HS himself.

    And he was INCREDIBLY biased. He had his favorites and he didn't try to hide it. If you didn't play sports, have the right parents, or came from the wrong side of town then you meant nothing. And let's not get into the years when his son was there...

    So I say, good riddance. And for the love of all that is holy let the "it's a great day to be a tiger cub" saying go with him.

    -- Posted by GC_townie on Thu, Mar 1, 2018, at 12:55 PM
  • I worked for Greencastle School Corporation when Mr. Hesler was appointed as principle. The school was in quite a turmoil at the time and the students actually asked the school board to make Mr. Hesler the principal.

    -- Posted by lindanelson on Fri, Mar 2, 2018, at 7:56 PM
  • Oh thank God! I have heard the same for years. There are many reasons there has been a mass exodus from Greencastle, and he is one. Letting certain teachers get by with inappropriate behavior, and letting certain students get by when others are harshly punished. His behavior with other schools and employees in the district has also been abominable. Bye Felicia!

    -- Posted by Moretothestory on Fri, Mar 2, 2018, at 9:04 PM
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