In the middle of his eighth year as principal at Homer High School, Ron Keffer has announced plans to retire. The decision to slide into retirement comes at a time when he is happy in his career, but also mindful of the changes that come with time, the people he wants to see and the places he wants to go.
"I feel like I've had the best job in the world for the last eight years," Keffer told the Homer News. "It has been wonderful. I have absolutely no complaints."
Going into this school year, the 61-year-old principal was considering the possibility of retirement. Then, the death of two of Keffer's fraternity brothers from Case Western Reserve University forced him to look more closely at what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. To meet the district's Jan. 15 deadline for announcing retirement, he contacted Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Donna Peterson and made his decision official.
"I thought I really needed to think carefully," he said. "You don't live forever. You need to have some fun."
One thing on Keffer's post-retirement to-do list is spend more time with his wife, Ann. The two of them also have family in the Lower 48 and plan to visit them later this year.
Prior to coming to Homer in 2000, Keffer spent three years as assistant superintendent for student learning and assessment for Stephens County Schools in Toccoa, Ga. Prior to that, he was principal of Stephens County High School, also in Toccoa, for nine years. That came after four years as the school's assistant principal.
After receiving a bachelor of arts in history in 1968 from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, Keffer went on to receive a masters of education in educational administration at the University of Georgia, followed by a doctor of education degree in educational administration, also at the University of Georgia.
After a visit to Alaska, the Keffers decided to explore the possibility of leaving Georgia behind and moving north. They had their eye on the Kenai Peninsula, specifically Homer.
"But we didn't allow ourselves to get too excited because we didn't know how the job thing would work out," Keffer said.
When he called the district to request an application, the woman answering the phone said, "Oh, you're looking for a principalship. Did you know Homer High School was open?"
What followed was a whirlwind of faxing the requested documentation, scheduling an interview, flying to Homer for the interview and getting the job.
"I was just thrilled," Keffer said. "It all fell into place in spite of all the odds that it can't happen this way."
Retirement doesn't mean another move. The Keffers are planning to stay put, with visits Outside to maintain contact with family.
"There was a reason we left where we were and came up here," Keffer said. "We wanted to be here. That hasn't changed a bit. If anything, it's stronger than when we came."
A schedule to find a new HHS principal is taking shape.
"His resignation isn't official until the school board accepts it Feb. 4," Peterson said, adding that she plans to meet with the HHS site council and members of the community Feb. 5 to discuss the replacement process and gather community input.
"There are three opportunities to have input," Peterson said, beginning with her Feb. 5 visit to Homer. "I want to explain the process and we'll set a date for feedback from individuals and groups. Anybody can weigh in on characteristics and traits, suggestions and questions."
The second opportunity comes when a pool of applicants are brought to Homer for interviews. The public can attend and can submit their comments in writing. Finally, the public can provide input at the school board meeting when the district presents its replacement recommendation.
"(Keffer) has been a great asset to the district," Peterson said.
Recalling the most important trait for a principal that was mentioned by the community when Keffer was interviewed, Peterson said Homer wanted "someone who would walk on water. Ron came pretty close."
Jason Nissly, a teacher at HHS and a member of the school's site council, said the inclusive makeup of the council ensures all involved parties have a say in the process.
"The representatives on the site council are currently gathering information regarding desired qualities of the next HHS principal," Nissly said.
Recalling the role Keffer played in Nissly and his wife's decision to teach in Homer, Nissly added, "His ability to 'sell' HHS and Homer was a major factor in our decision to move and teach here, and his professionalism and dedication to keeping 'what's best for kids' as the focus of everything we do are clear in his actions."
Keffer's feelings for Homer are evident in the advice he has for his successor.
"I have been one of luckiest people on the planet because I had a chance to work with the finest staff, nicest, most capable kids and the most supportive parents on the planet. There truly is no better school in the world for a principal to work at than this one," Keffer said. "The main things I had to do were to just be sure to support the staff, to help rather than get in the way, listen to parents and students and try to be a facilitator."
Keffer's last day with the district will be June 6. After that, he is exploring the possibility of working with the state's coaching program for new principals.
"I just can't tell you how much we've enjoyed being here," he said. "And we look forward to enjoying quite a few more years here."
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.
