Surprises Abound at Rick Jones Retirement Event

Farmington Public Schools Board of Education President Howard Wallach said quite a few nice things about Rick Jones during a surprise event honoring the retiring North Farmington High principal Wednesday night.

And then Wallach said the nicest thing of all.

"My law partner, your good friend and former school board member Gary Sharp, presented (Superintendent) Sue (Zurvalec) and I a petition to name this building after you, and it took us all of about 4.4 seconds to say yes," Wallach said. "The board unanimously approved and effective today, this building will be known as the Richard B. Jones Academic Center, with the lettering going up over the building within a few days."

The announcement was the high point of the two-hour event, held in North's auditorium. Organized by students and faculty, the evening got off to a rocky start, as the crowd anxiously awaited Jones' arrival. Finally, Assistant Principal Phillip Pittman announced that Jones had pulled into the parking lot.

The North Farmington symphony orchestra performed an overture, then Zurvalec began her introduction, announcing the event would honor Jones.

Just one problem: The honoree wasn't there. He was, apparently, in his office doing a little work before heading into what he thought was a simple orchestra concert.

Someone went to fetch him and, at Zurvalec's suggestion, everyone shouted "surprise" as Jones walked in. The rest of the evening ran smooth as silk, with tribute after tribute to the longtime principal's dedication to the school, which is also his alma mater.

Current and former students, former classmates, faculty and school, state and city officials all commented on Jones' remarkable leadership skills and his ability to inspire not only his students but those who work alongside him as well.

English teacher Parker Salowich explained the way Jones recruited him, by inviting Salowich to visit the school.

"What struck me immediately was what strikes everybody about this place," he said, "and that's the passion. And it isn't just Rick, it's everyone."

Zurvalec noted Jones has not only built a strong community at North, but has also done philanthropic work, such as traveling to Mali, one of the poorest countries in the world, to bring humanitarian aid. He has also helped raise funds to build a school in the Sudan.

"He not only talks the talk, he walks the walk so others will follow in his footsteps," Zurvalec said.

State Rep. Vicki Barnett, whose children graduated from Harrison High, paid Jones an even higher compliment.

"For this Hawk to be a Raider today, it's because you're my principal," she said, adding Jones had woven together the fabric of a village to raise not only children, but good adults.

State Superintendent Michael Flanagan was Farmington Schools superintendent when Jones was hired by the district. Flanagan wanted to take credit for hiring the principal, but admitted, "I actually hired Kathy Jones, and we had to take Rick as part of the deal."

Jones started working as a substitute teacher, then was hired full time. After 26 years of teaching English, coaching football and tennis, he was named principal in 1999, only the sixth leader in North's 50-year history.

Flanagan noted Rick Jones' humility, as he gave up a good job in Florida so that his wife could pursue her dream and they could live closer to family in Michigan.

"There's a lot of good educators who are good people," Flanagan said, "but if I had to pick three, Rick would be one of the three. He's just a really good human being."

After the event, former Superintendent Bob Maxfield said one of the easiest and best decisions he made was making Jones a principal. Maxfield said he always enjoyed walking along as Jones made his morning tour of the building.

"I tell Rick that what I want him to do is to sit down and write a book on school culture," Maxfield said, adding that Jones built "a culture of mutual acceptance and high achievement" at North.

"He lives it every day," Maxfield said.

Jones was given a chance to speak after all was said and done—including the presentation of city and state proclamations and the gift of a watch from the community. He seemed at times simply beyond words.

"At least I wore brown and gold tonight," he joked.

Jones thanked his family, colleagues and mentors, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to work at North. He said with a shared value system about kids, school and community, "great things can happen." He wished for everyone the opportunity he has had to find work they couldn't wait to get to every day.

"To say I'm overwhelmed would be the understatement, I guess, of forever for me. What this place has meant to me, I can't put into words ... I have gotten so much more than I've ever given, and it's so obvious tonight," Jones said.

"North Farmington is a special place, and I've been truly the most blessed guy on the planet," he said. "Thank you."