Menu
One man's impact during a 40-year career
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
IVY JACOBS PHOTO - Superintendent Jeff Fritz and Mary Yelton at the Open House for Fritz's upcoming retirement.
Although announced a couple of weeks in advance, Superintendent Jeff Fritz was still slightly surprised when his Open House started Tuesday afternoon in the Board Room of the Central Administrative Office in Brazil.
"This is so nice," Fritz said as he welcomed guests with a warm handshake or a hug. "I am seeing old friends I haven't seen in a while."
Humble yet straightforward, Fritz has impacted those he worked with throughout his 40-year career, and he is retiring at the end of the school year. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Timothy Rayle, Ph. D, will take the position on July 1, 2023.
IVY JACOBS PHOTO - Superintendent Jeff Fritz greeted people with a warm handshake or a hug during his retirement Open House Tuesday afternoon.
Rayle was among many of Fritz's co-workers who talked about the outgoing Superintendent's impact on their lives.
In their own words
| • | Thank you for four decades of dedication to Clay Community Schools. Your legacy will continue through generations. Enjoy retirement! |
-Dr. Tim Rayle, Assistant Superintendent, Clay Community Schools
| • | I will miss working with Mr. Fritz. He is a mentor to me. He always has a wise answer or a wisecrack! He is an example of not only how to carry yourself as a professional but also as a man. I wish him a long joyful retirement. |
-Aron Hammond, Director of Human Resources, Clay Community Schools
| • | When I reflect on my experiences with Mr. Fritz as the leader of our school family, I reflect back to the times when he sincerely expressed gratitude and personal support during times of celebration and trials. From a personal experience while a teacher in the 5th Grade classroom, I shared a deep passion for US History with Mr. Fritz. I recall one specific year at the beginning of his role as Superintendent when he extended the invitation for any teachers in the corporation to have him come to the classroom to support instruction in any way that he could. This particular year I had a rather engaged group of 5th graders that really took an interest in our American Revolution unit through a full split perspective debate. Mr. Fritz came alongside me as a teacher and added a unique amount of knowledge to my instruction, which further peaked my students' passion for the content. Fast forward several years and now I that I am a building administrator, I have experienced Mr. Fritz's continued gratitude and support from a different role in the corporation. Education is continually changing, but remaining steadfast in remembering what it was like with any changed role from the classroom to education leadership is an attribute of Mr. Fritz. Thank you Mr. Fritz for your leadership and years of serving the CCS family. Enjoy retirement! |
-Amy Hardey, Principal, Meridian Elementary
| • | Mr. Fritz has served our community and school corporation faithfully as a teacher, principal, and Superintendent. While Mr. Fritz has many fine attributes, his integrity is what I have appreciated most. He is always consistent in word and deed. It has been an honor to serve under his leadership, and I wish him the very best in retirement. |
-Lisa Froderman, Principal, East Side Elementary
| • | Mr. Fritz was an amazing boss and mentor to me. He helped mold me into the teacher I am today. I have BIG admiration for him professionally and personally. Thanks so much Mr. Fritz for the leadership, guidance, positivity, and sense of humor that you shared daily with me and our JTE staff! |
-Rae Anne Howald, Kindergarten Teacher, Jackson Township Elementary
| • | It was an honor to be hired by Mr. Fritz at Jackson Township Elementary School in 2001. It's been a huge blessing to be under his leadership, as a principal and then as Superintendent, for the past 22 years. |
-Christina Rea, JTE Grade 3
| • | I used to bargain contracts for the teachers. When we would settle a contract, Mr. Fritz would stop by my church (Ashboro) with me and together, at the alter, we would say a prayer of thanks. This should tell you all you need to know about his moral character. |
-Russ True, 7th Grade Math, North Clay Middle School
| • | The career of Jeff Fritz as a teacher and administrator has been more than just a job. It has been the focus of his professional life. He is a gentleman who believes in family, faith, hard work, achievement and honesty. We are so proud to have had him as a true educational leader of Clay Community Schools. |
-Tom Reberger, CCS School Board
| • | Clay Community Schools has been blessed to have Jeff Fritz as its Superintendent; he is a faith-filled and steadfast man. The safety of all the students and staff in the school family was always at the forefront of his decision-making responsibilities. It was a pleasure and an honor to serve as his secretary. |
-Mindy Godsey
| • | Jeff has been an outstanding leader for Clay Community Schools. Professionally, I couldn't have asked for a better leader and mentor. Throughout my various roles at CCS, from being hired as a teacher at North Clay by Jeff all the way to my role at Central Office, he has been a positive influence and trusted advisor for myself and so many others. CCS has been fortunate to have someone with such strong values and principles and a person that has given so much to help make CCS such a tremendous place. |
-John Szabo, Director of Business Affairs, Clay Community Schools
| • | Mr. Fritz has positively impacted the Clay Community School Corporation by providing the tools for our students to be anything they desire. He has had many leadership roles in our community, such as student, teacher, principal, and Superintendent, that have shaped his leadership style. The years he has spent in education have been focused on making school a life-altering place to be for all students and a place of safety and security. Mr. Fritz is an outstanding professional leader. Best wishes, Mr. Fritz on the next chapter of your life. |
-Karen Phillips
| • | Forty years of working to establish corporation policies, set educational goals, and assess outcomes equates to lots of hard work and tough decisions. I hope Mr. Fritz enjoys every minute of his retirement because he certainly earned it. |
-Kathy Knust, Curriculum and Grants Coordinator
| • | Jeff Fritz has dedicated his life to education. His career has spanned a lifetime under the titles of student, teacher, principal, and Superintendent. Clay County has been fortunate to have Jeff at the helm. We wish him the best in his retirement. He will be missed. |
-Lynn Romas, CCS School Board
| • | I want to congratulate Mr. Fritz on his upcoming retirement! Mr. Fritz has been a great mentor, colleague, and friend to me for many years. Mr. Fritz has a love and passion for teaching and education. That love and passion is apparent to everyone that knows him. As a building principal, I aspire to have the same approach, insight, and wisdom Mr. Fritz displays and be the role model for others he has been for me. Thank you, Mr. Fritz, for your dedication and service to Clay County and the students of Clay Community Schools! I wish you and Carol nothing but the best in your retirement! |
-Michael Owens, Principal, Clay City Jr./Sr. High School
| • | Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the students, staff, parents, and community. You will be missed. Enjoy retirement. |
-Amber Sinders, Director of Health Services, Clay Community Schools
| • | Mr. Fritz has a true passion for education. As a teacher and principal, he always made learning fun for students. As a principal and Superintendent, he made safety a priority. CCS will miss his dedication to education. |
-Lynn Stoelting
NOTE: We want to thank all those who helped write this story.
Congratulations