By RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY
PDT Staff Writer

Members of the Minford School Board and the surrounding community will show their thanks to outgoing Superintendent Dennis Meade on Dec. 16 with a reception honoring his retirement.

The entire community is invited to join board and staff members at the reception in the high school cafeteria at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 16, immediately following the Minford School Board meeting.

"We appreciate his many years of service, and his loyalty to Minford, and his hard work. He's been here as superintendent for 23 years, which in this day and age is very unusual," John Jenkins, president of the Minford School Board said.

Meade announced his plans in August to retire, effective Jan. 1, 2009, ending of total of 25 years of service to the district. He said he isn't sure what he'll do with his retirement yet but does plan to stay in the area.

"My wife says it's her time, so we'll see how that goes," he joked, after announcing his retirement earlier this year.

Last month, the Minford School Board hired Mark Wilcheck from Cardington-Lincoln Local Schools as the new Minford superintendent.