By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Kincheloe Elementary School Principal Daniel L. Smith informed the Dowagiac Board of Education of his intention to retire July 1 at the conclusion of the current school year.
"I have been employed by the Dowagiac Union Schools at Kincheloe Elementary School since January 1977 except for one school year when I served as the principal of North Elementary in Watervliet," Smith wrote to Superintendent Peg Stowers March 9. "Friends say that was my year off."
"When I think back over the experiences in my career," wrote Smith, 53, who lives in Paw Paw, "I am flooded with wonderful memories of students and staff members, parents and colleagues.
"When I think ahead to challenges facing the school district, I'm confident in the capabilities of the district staff, and especially in the staff members at Kincheloe School. They have won my admiration and appreciation by working tirelessly together time and again to plan and implement educational programs. Their sustained effort to meet the needs of children and of the community has been truly exemplary.
"It has been a pleasure to be a teacher and principal at Kincheloe Elementary School," Smith concluded.
"We wish you the best in retirement," President Randy Cuthbert offered, "but you're too young to retire."
The audience at Dowagiac Middle School gave him a standing ovation.
Smith is just the fourth principal in Kincheloe's history since 1969, including the late Murl Rector, David Strelekar and Tom Lenhard.
Smith, who became principal 14 years ago in 1993, every spring leads a rocket launch. His final launch is scheduled for the Tuesday after Memorial Day.
In retirement he plans to explore writing possibilities, including children's non-fiction.