BROWNSTOWN — Barry Cutter was the star of the Brownstown Central Community School Corp. board of school trustees meeting.

Luke Nolting, president of the Brownstown Ewing Main Street board of directors, attended the March 8 meeting to present Cutter with the nonprofit organization’s Community Excellence Award for 2021 Educator of the Year.

The awards, which also included Professionals of the Year and Business of the Year, are chosen and decided upon by the board after members receive several names from the school system and businesses in Brownstown.

Cutter was chosen Educator of the Year for influencing countless Brownstown students over the last 40 years as a teacher and coach. He currently teaches social studies at Brownstown Central High School.

“It is a true testament of everyone that we’ve talked to when we nominated him of how many people you truly have influenced over the past 40 years,” Nolting said.

Cutter plans to retire this year.

“I know retirement is going to be wonderful, and I know you and your wife are looking forward to watching the grandbabies and enjoying each other, so we’re happy for you,” Nolting said. “We just wanted you to know that on behalf of the school board and on behalf of the schools, thank you so much for everything that you’ve done. Brownstown is truly fortunate to have someone like you in our system.”

Following a round of applause, Cutter said it had been an emotional day because he submitted his retirement letter to Superintendent Tim Taylor and the board.

“It was very heartfelt, and it was a hard thing to do,” he said. “Then I think about two years ago Friday when (Taylor) makes the announcement we’re going virtual (due to the COVID-19 pandemic). To a 61-year-old, that’s pretty rough, but at the end of these last two years, I can say I made it through it. I kid the kids, I tell them, ‘I’m a Googler now.’”

He then thanked Taylor and the board.

“I just want to thank you all for standing for the teachers, our school system,” Cutter said. “I’m very proud to have served 40 years here in one building.”

As he looked around the board table, he saw former students and parents of students.

“I have great memories. I’ve been truly blessed by God to be able to communicate with young people my entire life, and I do have a life license. I want to let you know if this thing goes south and our economy goes south, I may be looking for a job,” he said, smiling. “I don’t plan on going anywhere except for maybe in January, but I’ll still be around, and I look forward to continuing to be a mouthpiece for the Brownstown Central school corporation.”

After another round of applause, the meeting continued, and at the end, board members shared comments about Cutter.

“Thank you for what you’ve done all through the years. You made a difference to a lot of kids,” Trustee David Martin said.

“Thank you for your service,” Trustee Clayton Beard said. “Forty years, in today’s standards, that’s unheard of. I appreciate it.”

Assistant Secretary Gina Hackman thanked Cutter for teaching her children and others at BCHS over the years.

“You’ve made such a difference to so many, and it’s so appreciated,” she said.

Secretary Mary Lou Burcham lauded Cutter’s dedication, commitment, patience and countless hours he put in.

“Thank you, and I wish you the best,” she said. “I’m glad you’re not going very far.”

Trustee Paul Borden said Cutter has taught all three of his children, and President Scott Shade said he wishes the best for Cutter and the other retirees approved during the meeting. Those include Anne Marie Martin, an elementary school special needs pre-K teacher; Sharon Pottschmidt, a second grade teacher; and Kathy Roark, a high school night shift custodian.

Also in personnel matters, Cutter was approved to teach U.S. History I and U.S. History II during summer school this year.

“I just want to thank all of you for all of the kind words,” Cutter told the board. “It has been a very rewarding career, and I’ve been truly blessed.”

In the coming months, look for feature stories in The Tribune about the Brownstown retirees.