Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop said there is no way to adequately honor Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. student assistance coordinator Larry Perkinson for his many contributions to the city of Columbus. But Lienhoop tried his best, proclaiming Nov. 18 Larry Perkinson Day.
Lienhoop recognized Perkinson, who will retire from his position in December, at BCSC’s Nov. 18 school board meeting.
“Whereas Larry ‘Perk’ Perkinson, his first day with Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. was Aug. 25, 1979, and whereas Larry arrived with a mission and passion to improve the human condition of others, particularly youth,” Lienhoop said as he read the proclamation.
“And whereas Larry is always one phone call away, gives his undivided attention, assists with sound decision making that is in the best interest of all involved, listening to voices that oftentimes go unheard.”
Perkinson’s education career started in Jennings County Schools 45 years ago where he taught literature to middle school students. In 1979, he came back to his stomping grounds at BCSC where he had attended school and taught literature for 16 years at Northside Middle School.
Perkinson said he took a chance and interviewed for the student assistance coordinator role 25 years ago. In this position, one-third of his time is spent dealing with drug, alcohol and substance abuse situations. That includes everything from working with individuals who have school or athletic violations to responding to families with questions or concerns to working with community organizations.
He also serves as a community liaison between the school corporation and local organizations. At least four days of the year are spent in school safety trainings where he learns how to better educate students, faculty, staff and community resources to be better responders.
“I’m always asking, ‘What’s the best we can do?’” he said. “Sometimes you just feel like the Ghostbuster guy — “Who ya gonna call?” I’ve got hundreds of numbers in my phone; if there’s an issue, if I don’t have the ability to get something done, maybe my neighbor does. We are a community that I think shares as much as any community in the nation.”
Perkinson stood as a groomsman in Lienhoop’s wedding years ago. Lienhoop said when he told his wife, Pam, that he’d be honoring Perkinson, Pam Lienhoop said she had to tag along.
“And whereas this community loves and trusts Larry because he gives freely to every person he encounters,” Lienhoop said. “And whereas Larry has given his time to countless school and community projects.”
Lienhoop gifted Perkinson with a key to the city, the highest honor the city offers to individuals.
“I may let my mom keep this for a while cause Julie (Perkinson) doesn’t let me keep keys — I lose them, and that’s the truth,” Perkinson joked.
Four generations of Perkinson’s family attended the board meeting, including Perkinson’s mother, who he brought to the front row to get the best view.
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Larry Perkinson
Age: 66
Title: Student assistance coordinator for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in English from Indiana State University, master’s degree in English from Indiana University.
Career: Perkinson has been an educator for 45 years, with all but four years of that in Bartholomew County. He spent his early years in education as an English teacher in Jennings County Schools and at Northside Middle School.
Family: The Columbus native lives in Columbus with his wife, Julie. They had four daughters; April died in 1997.
Favorite book: "Lord Jim" by Joseph Conrad and anything written by Lewis Grizzard
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