Retiring superintendent to continue to serve community

WAYNESFIELD - Waynesfield-Goshen Superintendent Earnie Jones may be retiring, but he's not going anywhere.

He'll continue with the community foundation and other volunteer activities, including coaching midget football and staying involved with the school.

"I want to be around the school and the students as much as I can, be as helpful as I can be with any youth activities," Jones said. "This community is what I call home now. I have no plans other than to stay in this area and support the district and whole community the best I can."

Jones, 60, will retire at the end of July, ending 12 years with the district and 38 in education.

"I love education, love people, love children, and that seems to be what the good Lord wanted me to do in my life," he said. "I think education is just a great calling. You can influence and leave a lot of positive influence behind in students."

Retiring will allow Jones to give more time to New Life Church, in Port Jefferson, where he has been pastor for two years. He has been a pastor for 30 years.

"I would like for the church to get outside of the four walls and become more of an influence in the community," he said.

Jones started his career teaching health and physical education and social studies in Sidney and Minster. He served as high school principal in Anna and Fremont Ross, and middle school principal in Sidney. His entire time at Waynesfield-Goshen has been as superintendent.

Jones started thinking about retiring a few years ago, but he wanted to stay until the district completed its building project. Pupils and staff moved into the new building in September. Jones is proud of the project and initiatives to improve the curriculum and instruction.

"We have a lot of wonderful staff members that are working very hard in the classrooms," he said. "The emphasis on trying to teach all children is a process. That takes some time, but I am real pleased that we are headed in the right direction."

The school board is looking for Jones' replacement. The deadline to submit applications is March 30.