Published: June 03, 2009 09:33 pm      

31 years at Attica

Principal leaves mark at school

ATTICA, Ind. — As Roy Jones sat at his desk and signed the last diploma for Attica High School’s graduating class of 2009, he wasn’t thinking about his impending retirement.

“I don’t think it has really hit me yet,” the soft-spoken high school principal said, despite the fact that he’d spent the week fending off practical jokes put on by students and colleagues. Turns out packing up and switching into retirement gear takes a little time, especially when you’ve spent 40 years in the school district.

When Jones graduated from Indiana State University with an industrial arts degree in 1969, vocational teachers were high in demand, and he interviewed for several jobs before deciding on Attica. Originally from Brazil, Jones was familiar with the Attica area after working at Harrison Steel right out of high school. “I liked the small-town atmosphere, the students, the job and the camaraderie with the staff. It was a natural fit I guess.”

When a fire destroyed the old high school building in 1973, Jones was asked to take charge of the discipline in the vocational building, a move that introduced him to school administration.

“I’d never thought about administration,” he said. But he found he had a knack for it and became the assistant principal in 1977, assuming the position of principal the following year. “Coming to work is a new experience daily. The students are tremendous, they always have been. I just enjoy the school,” Jones said. “I’ve signed 1,957 diplomas over the years; I’ve kept a tally. Of course at a big school the numbers add up really quick. The unique thing about this school is that I know all those kids.”

As a leader, Jones has stuck to a few simple guiding principles and avoided micromanaging. “My philosophy has always been to hire good people and let them do what they need to do in order to be successful. If some teachers want to look at a new program, for example, I let them do that. I let them have flexibility and freedom – they’re the experts in the classroom, I’m not.”

Among co-workers, Jones is known for his calm demeanor and friendly nature. “He treats people with honesty and respect,” said Monica Swift, a secretary in the principal’s office who’s worked with Jones for 10 years. “He treats everybody equally, no matter their position. It’s just good policy.”

David Ryan, Jones’ replacement and currently the junior high school principal, said Jones is leaving big shoes to fill.

“He (Jones) has certainly had a very good following among parents, teachers and students over the years,” Ryan said. “What’s helped me is to see somebody in his position handle issues in a calm, professional way. I’m certainly going to miss the times at the end of the day when we would sit and talk about the day’s events and share thoughts and ideas.”

Jones said one of his priorities as a principal has been to improve the academic programs and offer the students more variety. He’s also led the school’s transition into the technology age. “We were the first school in Indiana to have a computer lab. I’ve always tried to push new things and jump on new opportunities,” he said. He believes the kids’ involvement in after-school athletic programs are key to their success overall and is especially proud of Attica’s victory in the 2001 state basketball championship, and the football team’s second place the year before.

After retiring, Jones plans to spend more time with his family and with his woodworking hobby.

“Woodworking is one of my main interests, some people call me a master carpenter,” he said, adding that his wife, Phyllis, who owns a beauty salon in town, already has put in a request for some projects that she wants him to work on. The high school may also have some handy work lined up for Jones at the auditorium, which was constructed in 2001 and will be named after him.

“I’d already offered to help, and now that they named it after me I guess I’m going to have to do it,” he joked.



ROY JONES

Position: Principal, Attica High School.

Education: Brazil High School, 1964; bachelor of science degree, Indiana State University, 1969; master of science degree, industrial arts, ISU, 1974; administration supervision, ISU, 1983.

Experience: Vocational teacher, Attica High School, 1969-77; assistant principal, Attica High School, 1977-78; principal, Attica High School, 1978-2009.