Three faded wildcat paw prints lead the way off U.S. 54 into New Bloomfield, along the road to the school room where superintendent David Trammel has sat for six years.
A second desk sits alongside Trammel's. That's the desk of Sarah Wisdom, special services director. It's not that they like sharing an office. It's that she will take the reins of the superintendent's bridle July 1. Trammel is about to retire.
"Early retirement always was a goal," he said. "Now it's time to take (the district) to another level, and Sarah Wisdom will do that in fine fashion."
She is a New Bloomfield graduate and has served alongside Trammel since he announced his retirement late last year.
"She's got a vested interest," Trammel said. "It's been a great transition. There will not be a dip (in services)."
The start of everything
Trammel, 53, has spent almost three decades in education - 19 years as superintendent.
"I've been an Eagle twice, a Wildcat twice, a Hornet," he said. "My closets are full of multi-colored school clothes."
Education came naturally to him, eventually. Born in Kahoka in northeastern Missouri, his father was a career educator and his mom was a school custodian. Early on, Trammel found school simple.
"In high school, I didn't have to do much," he said. "I achieved easily. But I got kicked out of college - my grades, too much nightlife."
That's when he became reacquainted with a grade school friend, Paulina.
"We started dating a month after I got kicked out of college and engaged six weeks later," Trammel said. "We got engaged 32 years ago next month."
She changed his life many times during their three-decade-plus marriage, giving him two sons along the way. She also became a high school English teacher with a successful career that continues at Father Tolton Regional Catholic High in Columbia. She talked him back into college, Trammel added.
"I finished up with three college degrees and 28 years in a career in education," he said.
Trammel likes to turn wrenches, ride his motorcycle, and hunt and fish. His teaching career fits those interests.
"I taught shop," he said of his first teaching job at the LaPlata school district. "I was already delving into mechanical (hobbies). I was a vocational student in high school."
Trammel became an administrator, starting in Luray, a K-8 district. He also was superintendent in Atlanta, Canton and then New Bloomfield.
"Some of the aspects were tough," he said of the switch from teacher to administrator. "There was a lot of OJT (on-the-job training)."
He will retire, but plans to find a new career, hopefully within the education community.
"I'm not going to quit working," he said. "I want to do something. My career goals right now are to find something relative to education. Jefferson City is a great place for recovering superintendents to find something. But I'm not in a hurry."
Being in charge means Trammel had to be available 24/7. Vacations out of state were few and complicated to arrange.
"Being a superintendent - you work for a school board, you work with administration, and work with the teachers," he said. "I'm ready to reduce that number of constituents I have to serve."
As a Wildcat
When Trammel came to New Bloomfield six years ago, the move seemed fated, he said. Looking back, it was the best move he could have made.
"I would say what we've done here in New Bloomfield has been the most rewarding period of my educational career," he said. "Six years ago, the district was struggling financially and with student performance. I was the fourth superintendent in 12 months. There had been a revolving door in the central office."
Trammel is quick to recognize the group of people who solved the district's problems.
"It was the right people in the right place at the right time, in the right community," he said. "I don't think we could have done it without all the right people. There has been a total transformation in this district in the last six years."
Prior to his arrival, New Bloomfield's then-school board had laid out a financial plan that Trammel, as superintendent, supported.
"They did a lot of work," he said. "I had great interest in seeing it succeed. Everything went in the right direction, and it went quickly."
A $2 million building project also was completed during Trammel's tenure.
"It's been just a near total transformation, and a total team effort, and I was lucky to be here when it happened," he reiterated. "I was very blessed to be picked to be able to do that."
Next week, Trammel will present next year's operating budget of $5.5 million to New Bloomfield board of education members. Currently, the district has about 700 pre-K through 12th grade students, with a pre-K to sixth-grade building and behind that, a seventh- through 12th-grade building.
"The culture and climate here is just wonderful," Trammel said.
The secret to New Bloomfield's success in the central office is simple.
"All administrators try to do is what's best for the students," he said. "Sometimes the quick fix isn't the good fix, so keep the students in mind."
What's next?
Motorcycles, family and summer are on Trammel's mind. He has a BMW sport touring bike.
"We rode 1,200 miles last week," he said with a grin. "If I hit the Lottery, I would fly to Britain and get a couple bikes, and go to Sicily."
But for Trammel, there's no place like home.
"I will spend a lot more time with my family," he said, mentioning his two grown sons and granddaughter. "I've loved what I've done, but school administration is very demanding and you're never clocked out."
Having a certain amount of freedom from that responsibility is something he and Paulina are looking forward to - at least until his next job, Trammel added.
"I'm just very blessed I made the right choice in my career. I never thought I should get out and do something else. I've never questioned my choice," he said. "I made two right decisions: My career and my wife. God leads you to places where you can make good decisions."
Wisdom takes over
On July 1, former director of Special Services Sarah Wisdom will be in charge.
"I just finished my 13th year at New Bloomfield, and I was an alumni from here, too," she said.
Trammel has been a wonderful leader, Wisdom added.
"Mr. Trammel is a very kind-hearted person who put employees and the kids first," she said. "His financial experience put us in good working order."