LEXINGTON — Mike Ziegelhofer said he has been led by one guiding principle throughout his career as educator.
“I did my best to try to treat each kid as if he or she was my own,” said Ziegelhofer, the outgoing superintendent of Lexington Local Schools. “Every decision I made was based on what I’d want the school to do if that kid was mine.”
After 45 years in education, Ziegelhofer has decided to retire. His last day will be Aug. 1.
Ziegelhofer began his career as an English teacher and coach at Willard High School. After 11 years at Willard, he spent two years as the principal of Crestview Junior High School.
He’s been with Lexington Local Schools for 32 years — six as the high school principal, four as assistant superintendent and 22 as superintendent.
During Ziegelhoger’s tenure, Lexington has consistently scored high on state report cards, and the district recently gained voter approval for construction of new schools.
“All of that added up to a 45-year career that was far more meaningful than anything I could have hoped for or dreamed of,” said Ziegelhofer. “I loved every day of it.”
Jeremy Secrist, an assistant superintendent at Lexington who will take the reins in August, praised Ziegelhofer’s leadership of the district.
“He’s had a lot of opportunities over the years to leave if he wanted to, but he’s always felt his heart was here,” Secrist said. “He’s always been there with sound, compassionate, common sense leadership.”
School board president Bob Whitney is in the unique position of participating in Ziegelhofer’s hiring and congratulating him upon his decision to retire.
“Mike came to us as a youngster,” said Whitney, a board member since 1964. “He’s on top of things academically, financial aspects of running a school, he’s a good communicator and above all, he’s seen that the youngsters get a good education in our district.”
Ziegelhofer earned a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Bluffton University and a master’s degree in administration from Ashland University. He was the first member of his family to go to college.
“I grew up in Massillon, Ohio and went to Washington High School,” Ziegelhofer said. “My dad was a mechanic on the railroad. He used to tell me from about junior high on, ‘I don’t know what they do at those colleges. I just know you gotta go to one, because that’s where you can get a job and you get to wear your church clothes to work and you don’t get dirty.’
“So that was his goal for me.”
Although educators dedicate their lives to teaching the next generation, Ziegelhofer also enjoyed learning from them. During his time at Lexington, he often ate his lunch in the school cafeteria — usually with special needs students.
“We had conversations, messed around, had fun,” Ziegelhofer said. “You know why they’re called special? They’re always happy. There’s not a mean-spirited bone in them. They’re kind; they’re considerate. There’s so much for us to learn from them about how to go about life. That’s why they’re special.”
Whitney described Ziegelhofer as someone who has a heart for struggling students.
“He’s saved a lot of youngsters’ futures, keeping them on track and seeing that they get through and graduate,” he said.
Ziegelhofer said, “I tell our people all the time, ‘You know how many chances a kid deserves? Just one more. Every kid deserves every opportunity possible to be as well prepared as possible for whatever comes next.”
The administrator has sought similar dedication from his staff. Since assuming the role of superintendent, he has sat in on every interview for a district staff member, no matter the position.
“I want them to hear from me that, ‘You’re not just a bus driver. You’re the first one they see everyday and the last one they see everyday. You get the opportunity to start their day off right,’” Ziegelhofer said. “You’re not just the custodian, you’re the guy that opens their milk carton for them. You create the environment they walk into every morning. All our roles are important. It takes all of us.
“Whether you’re a teacher, a coach, an educational aide, the bus driver, the custodian, the cook, the principal or the superintendent, you’re an influencer.”
Ziegelhofer said that the district’s success is due to its teachers and a community dedicated to its children’s education.
“How did I stay in one place for 32 years? First of all, the grace of God. Secondly, it’s a great school district. I can’t think of a better school community,” he said. “We live in a community that values education and expects us to be good at what we do.”
“One of the things I’m most proud of is that the district truly does have the kids’ best interests at heart. The kids truly do come first. It’s all about them,” he added. “It’s hard to imagine a district that would operate any other way.”
