Billy Swindle, who has steered Parklane Academy over a 33-year period that has seen enrollment triple, has retired.
Swindle’s departure on Wednesday marked the end of his educational career of more than 50 years.
“We appreciate his dedication in making Parklane what it is today,” school board president Lee Wilson said this morning in a statement to the Enterprise-Journal.
“The Parklane family extends a heartfelt thank you to him for his loyalty and leadership throughout his tenure. We wish him and his family the very best.”
The school board named high school principal Sid Siebert, 47, interim administrator.
Siebert has been at Parklane for 19 years.
In a letter sent Wednesday to Wilson, Swindle said he had planned to resign on May 30, but was persuaded to stay through the beginning of the 2008-09 school year to see it through some crucial times.
Here’s the text of Swindle’s letter:
“On May 30, 2008, I completed 50 years in the field of education. Twelve in the public schools, five at Woodland Hills Baptist Academy in Jackson and 33 at Parklane.
“On that date of May 30, 2008, I had planned to retire in order to spend the remainder of my years, hopefully, involved with my family, my church, my community, educational consultation, and golf.
“I made that decision with remorse because I have invested my life, so to speak, in trying to make Parklane the best it could be and getting a $2 value out of every $1 we had in providing a quality Christian education. Prayer, contemplation and family discussion indicated to me that this was the right time to retire.
“But after consultation with several people for whom I have the highest regard, it was decided that I should see the school through several areas of need in 2008, namely: a fairly large tuition increase, which might adversely affect enrollment; filling several faculty/staff vacancies with qualified folks; a fairly large driver education class to teach and several summer building improvement projects to complete.
“The 2008-09 school year is off to a successful start with an increased enrollment and a complete faculty/staff. Therefore, I now submit this official letter of retirement effective Aug. 13, 2008. I pray that Parklane Academy will continue to meet the needs of its ‘family.’ ”
Dr. Jack Nunnery, who was president of the school board when Swindle came to McComb, said Swindle was key to the school’s growth.
“I’ve never been sorry of the decision to hire him,” Nunnery said today. “With his contributions, I think he’s made Parklane what it is. I don’t know how I can tell you how much he’s done for the school.
“Having a part in hiring him was probably the biggest contribution I ever made out there,” Nunnery said. “The school has grown a lot. I think there were between 250 and 300 students when he came, if I remember right.”
Indeed, that enrollment has swelled. Wilson said 998 students are enrolled at Parklane for the school year that began on Monday. That’s up about 75 students from last year.
“We’re almost bursting at the seams right now,” he said.
Wilson said Siebert will have all duties and responsibilities of running the day-to-day operations of Parklane.
“The board has full confidence in Mr. Siebert to guide our school through this period of adjustment and transition,” Wilson said.
Contacted this morning, Siebert said he owes a debt of gratitude to Swindle.
“He has been a mentor of mine. I’ve had the opportunity to go into administration under him, and I have the utmost respect for him,” Siebert said. … His direction has brought Parklane to what it is today. We are gracious and blessed to have what we have.”Contacted this morning, Siebert said he owes a debt of gratitude to Swindle.
“He has been a mentor of mine. I’ve had the opportunity to go into administration under him, and I have the utmost respect for him,” Siebert said. … His direction has brought parklane to what it is today. We are gracious and blessed to have what we have.”
