Article submitted by Jamie Fleury, The Pilot News Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Community School Corporation (PCSC) Board met on Tuesday, December 6. During the meeting, school board members and retirees were thanked for their service.
Recently, Mike Mercer has resigned from his position as a bus driver for PCSC after 60 years of service. Lincoln Junior High (LJH) 8th Grade Science Educator Bob Garrity spoke highly of Mercer. Mercer had been an employee of PCSC since 1962 when he was hired as an educator at LJH. Mercer taught for 45 years at LJH until 2007 which included 6th, 7th and 8th grade Social Studies. He also taught one year of English. He also served as a bus driver for PCSC from 1962 to 2022. He coached LJH basketball for 40 years and coached LJH baseball for 30 years. Mercer also taught as a substitute teacher at LJH from 2007 to 2013. He also officiated and ran the scoreboard for PCSC basketball games.
Stacey Patrick and Robin Cupka will be serving as new members on the Plymouth Community School Corporation Board starting in January 2023.
Garrity said, “He has basically been a face of Plymouth. He was a father figure to many kids at Lincoln.” Mercer took students to Notre Dame games and other activities.
Garrity added, “He would help out students monetarily.” On one such occasion Mercer purchased a suit for student who did not have one nor the money to purchase one. He even took in children as foster children and paid for the educations through college. “Mike Mercer has been more gracious than most people will ever know. Our community has been very blessed to have him so we just wanted to recognize him tonight.”
Larry Pinkerton and Melissa Christiansen were thanked for their service on the Plymouth Community School Corporation Board. Pinkerton served on the board for 24 years. Christiansen served 16 years. Stacey Patrick and Robin Cupka will be serving as new members on the PCSC board starting in January 2023.
