PENDLETON — When he saw how Terry Auker enjoyed the transition from long-time administrator to school board member, John Lord thought that might be something he’d like to do, too.
Retiring after 41 years as a teacher and administrator with South Madison Community School Corp. in 2019, Lord will now follow that same path of the man who hired him in 1978.
At its July meeting, the South Madison board of trustees appointed Lord to be its newest member.

Story continues below photo.

He is replacing Chris Boots, who has moved to Florida. Boots was one of the board’s two Green Township representatives. Lord was eligible for the position because he resides in Green Township.
“It was one of those things that I always had in the back of my mind,” Lord said. “Terry Auker hired me and he was a long-time (principal) and was on the board after he left school administration.
“I’ve thought about it since then. Terry loved being on the school board and really enjoyed that work. I thought when I retired I’d enjoy that, too.”
Boots had been a member of the board for 12 years, including a segment as the board’s president.
“(Chris was) a great board member,” Superintendent Mark Hall said. “He was around a long time and was a vital part of a lot of things we did over the last 12 years.”
Lord said he considered running for school board but would not run against any of the current board members out of the respect and appreciation he has for them. His interest increased when an opening came without having to oppose any of them.
“(I thought) ‘Wow, this is my shot to do this.’ I applied, and I was very honored to be selected,” Lord said.
“I hope to use my experience to my advantage and be able to use my experience in the classroom, as well as, being an administrator,” Lord said. “I’m also excited about seeing things from a little different eye as a board member.
“(Previously) I looked at a building; now I have to look at a much bigger picture as a school corporation. I’m very excited to do that. It’s a great board and I’m looking forward to working with that group.”
Lord began his educational career in 1978 as a fourth-grade teacher at Fall Creek Elementary School. From 1979-86, he taught third, fifth and sixth grade at East Elementary School. He got his first administrative position at Pendleton Heights Middle School, working as an assistant principal from 1986-2002. He was named principal at Maple Ridge Elementary School in 2002 and held that position until retiring.
“We have a great school board here,” Hall said. “Any of the applicants would have been good, but when you have someone that has been active and done such a good job and have had the impact like Chris, it’s always a concern.
“The opportunity to bring someone in like John Lord, who has been around the school district a long time with a lot of experience in a lot of different roles, there’s a lot of institutional knowledge that comes with him. I think he’ll do a real good job.”
Boots was re-elected, unopposed, in November 2020 and started his current term Jan. 1. Lord will serve out that term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2024.
“I came to South Madison 43 years ago and it’s been a huge part of my life,” Lord added. “It’s educated my children. My wife is still employed by South Madison. I thoroughly loved being an administrator. This was a way to stay involved in the school corporation, to be a board member.”