EDUCATION: MULTI-TALENTED EDUCATOR RETIRES AFTER 3 DECADES

BENTON, Mo. -- After serving in nearly every professional job available in a school system during a career that's spanned three decades, Kelly School District Superintendent Don Abner says he's ready to try going home and doing nothing for awhile.

Abner will retire next summer from the district where he began his career in 1970 as a science and physical education teacher. He notified the Kelly Board of Education late last month.

He said his decision had nothing to do with voter rejection of five school funding measures over three years, including three rejections during his two-year tenure as superintendent.

"The retirement that I would be drawing came to the point that it really didn't pay that much to continue to work. That's pretty simple, but it's really the reality of it," said Abner. "In education, you're busy all the time. I'm going to go out and do nothing as long as can stand that, then I'll look around and see what's available."

Abner's 27-year career has involved many roles, including time spent as a classroom teacher, physical education teacher, basketball coach, counselor, principal and superintendent for Kelly, St. Claire and Bell City school districts.

He took a total of four years off from being an educator to serve two years in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and later a two-year stint managing a hardware store. Neither experience gave him the pleasure he received monitoring kickball games and other activities as an elementary school physical education teacher.

"I can't answer which was the easiest, because each one had its own challenges," Abner said.

Kelly Elementary School Principal Doug Thornton, who has worked with Abner for three years, said the superintendent will be sorely missed among district staff.

"He has been very supportive," he said. "He's always willing to listen and go the extra mile for people.

"I keep wondering, who could come in and do such a good job?"

The search for a new superintendent is already underway at Kelly. About four people have requested information about the position, and the school board will accept applications through Jan. 4. Abner said the school board hopes to fill the position by the end of January.

The new superintendent will begin working July 1..