The Indian Lake Board of Education honored the 2022 Indian Lake Schools Distinguished Alumni Award winner at their April meeting, a recipient whose work ethic and dedication was showcased as a young man at Huntsville High School and during his later years as the district’s facilities director.
Norman “Kay” Tracy was presented with the award by Superintendent Dr. Rob Underwood in the auditorium in front of dozens of Tracy’s friends and family members Monday evening.
Tracy graduated from Huntsville High School in 1959. As a sophomore student, he began helping and learning the job of custodian at Huntsville High School.
“When a custodian fell ill during Kay’s junior year, he stepped in to fire up the furnace in the early morning, shovel coal during school, and clean rooms after school once he was done with classes,” school officials said.
In 1963, he became the head custodian at Huntsville School and later he was named to be in charge of maintenance for the entire district.
Known as “Mr. Fix-It,” Tracy was able to repair just about anything on campus, and in doing so, saved the district a lot of money, school officials and his nominators noted.
He also developed relationships with many students, helping to guide them in the right direction for their lives. Tracy retired in 1992 after 20 years in that position.
During retirement, he continued to fix things as a favor for many people throughout the community. He specifically assisted the lonely and old.
The lifelong Huntsville resident served on the town council member for 20 years and a five-year mayor of Huntsville, a dedicated member of the Huntsville Fire Department and a charter member of the Huntsville Lions Club.
He came highly recommended by fellow inductee, Judy Grubbs, and was officially nominated by several community members including Betsy Shoffstall, Dave Corwin, Scott Hall, Wayne Wickerham, Joe Forsythe and his daughter, Heidi Tracy.
She wrote in her letter to the selection committee, “My father embodies the spirit of the Indian Lake community. His wisdom and caring for others have created a legacy that his family will continue to uphold, because the true measure of a man isn’t counted by the big things, but in the daily actions that demonstrate character that others want to emulate.”
Tracy humbly accepted his award saying, “This is wonderful. I enjoyed every minute of working at school. I always worried that I was doing the work just right.”
The groups gathered in the boardroom for a reception filled with storytelling after the award ceremony, a fitting tribute for award winner.
“Kay is a teller of stories. He loves to talk and people love to talk with him,” his nominators said.
Also during the meeting, the board accepted the retirement resignations of two long-time staff members. Food Service Director Susan Young is retiring after nearly 25 years with the district, and board office administrative assistant Pat Stanley is retiring after 36 1/2 years with Indian Lake Schools.
Also in personnel matters, the board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Lake Association of Classified Employees granting Juneteenth as a paid holiday, effective June 9, and thereafter, to all regular non-teaching 11- and 12- month school employees.
The paid holiday shall also be granted to non-union 11 and 12 month employees, administrators who receive paid holidays in their contracts, and to the treasurer and superintendent.
In other action, the board:
• approved one-year teaching contracts for Robin Boots, elementary resource room Teacher; and Lindsey Titus, third-grade;
• approved one-year educational assistant contracts to Sarah Woodcock and Cassandra Zedlitz;
• approved Kourtney Thompson placed on the teacher salary schedule at the corresponding education level and experience;
• extended supplemental contracts to: Don Thompson, Anne West and Nathan Titus, high school track assistant coaches;
• accepted the $15,000 Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Grant,
• accepted the $90,000 School Bus Purchase Program Grant,
• accepted the following donations: to the Joshua Keith Memorial Scholarship in memory of Gretta Grunckel that totaled $450; anonymous donations of $520 to the Guys in Ties/Girls in Pearls fund; $1,000 donation from Bambauer to the FFA Pole Barn/Farm Project; $10,000 donation from Don and Barbara Spath with $5,000 going to the FFA Pole Barn/Farm Project and $5,000 to purchase music instruments; and
• approved the Participation Agreement with the Jefferson County Educational Service Center to provide Virtual Learning Academy curriculum July 1 through June 30, 2025, at a total cost of $3,000 plus licensing fees.
Members approved changing the meeting start time for May and June to 5 p.m. The next Board of Education meeting is 5 p.m. May 16, in the Board of Education Office.