PENDLETON — With a career in education spanning 40 years, the last nine as South Madison Community School Corp. superintendent, Joe Buck will retire effective July 1.

“When I left Pendleton Heights High School after 13 years, I really missed being around the students. After working at the central office for the past 14 years, I will miss working with the administration, faculty and staff,” Buck said in an email to The Times-Post.

Buck’s retirement request was accepted by the South Madison board Thursday, April 2, at a meeting conducted at the district administration building and online through meet.google.com because of COVID-19.

Buck was named superintendent in 2011 after being district chief financial officer, finance/buildings and grounds, from 2007-11. He succeeded Superintendent Thomas Warmke.

Chris Boots, who has been president of the South Madison school board for 12 years, recalled by phone the vote of confidence in Buck the district received from state education officials.

“When we were hiring the superintendent (in 2011), I called the (Indiana) Department of Education and asked if we could hire someone that didn’t have a superintendent’s license,” Boots recalled. “They said you could, but there was a lengthy vetting process and a lot of hoops to jump through. Then they asked me who we were looking to hire. I told them Joe Buck, and they responded by saying if I faxed the papers over they’d be able to have everything approved later that day.”

Buck began his career in education in 1980 as a teacher and coach at Lapel Junior-Senior High School. He held positions as an assistant principal and head basketball coach at Lapel from 1985 to 1993.

From 1993 to 2006, he was head basketball coach at Pendleton Heights High School. He was also an assistant principal during that 13-year period.

In 2006, he was the district’s director of support services.

“I will leave that up to the students and adults I have worked with,” Buck said when asked about his legacy in the corporation. “Hopefully I have made a positive difference in the lives of students, faculty and staff.”

Boots said he sees nothing but positives when it comes to Buck.

“Joe Buck is absolutely a man of character and an amazing superintendent and incredible leader,” Boots said. “You never have to question his integrity and he’s not one that wants the spotlight or limelight.

“Our school system is financially one of the healthiest in the state of Indiana, and it’s because of his leadership.”

When Buck took over in 2011, he said he had the task of uniting a district dealing with the financial impact of a recession and lack of trust between board members, administration and teachers association.

According to Buck, he was able to complete that important chore by promoting a culture in which everyone understood it didn’t matter if he or she was a certified or non-certified employee, administrator or school board member.

“We are all in this together, and everyone makes a difference,” Buck said. “Because of the unity that has been developed, and by functioning as an educational team, we have been able to continually strive to make positive changes in academics; technology; curriculum; certified and non-certified salary schedules, stability with employee benefits; and academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular facility improvements.”

Heidi Moore, president of the South Madison Classroom Teachers Association, praised Buck via email on several fronts.

“As far as teachers specifically, Mr. Buck values what (teachers) do. He knows we all work hard and he does not hesitate to show his appreciation,” said Moore, who served as Arabians cheerleading coach when Buck led the boys basketball team.

“Most importantly, however, has been his willingness to listen to his staff members and get to know them on a personal level,” Moore said. “He always has time to talk no matter how big or small our concerns may be. His realistic, fair and caring approach to leadership will be missed. I feel honored to have been able to work with him during his time at South Madison.”

Buck said he and his wife, Connie, do not have big plans after retirement, other than to stay up late on Sunday nights and having the chance to sleep in on Monday mornings.

“I have enjoyed the challenges of my career in education, but I am ready to explore new challenges, as well as spend more time with my family,” Buck said.

In other news:

The school board meeting opened with the swearing in on site of new board member Mike Hanna. He was sworn in by Pendleton judge George Gasparovic.

Along with accepting Buck’s retirement, the board also approved the support staff resignations of bus drivers Paul Wilson and Adrienne Kidder and Pendleton Heights instructional assistant Brad Schnepp.

Support staff recommendation approvals were given for bus drivers Carly Kendall and Ambrielle McAtee.

The board approved the transfer of custodian Ken Reddick from Pendleton Elementary School-Intermediate to East Elementary School, and Susan Lackey from part-time custodian to full-time custodian at PES-I.

Leave was approved for Pendleton Elementary School-Primary School first-grade teacher Cortney Flowers.