McElrath has been in education for 30 years, coming back to Jamestown after also having grown up in the area.

“I feel like I’m ready to retire and open a new chapter in my life,” McElrath said. “My wife is also retiring so we are looking forward to spending six months in the Carolinas and then six months in Jamestown. I am also hoping to improve my golf game and travel. I will miss the people I work with and I will miss connecting with students. I won’t miss the long hours and ever changing mandates.”

Kim Barber, earth science and AP environmental science teacher at Jamestown High School, described McElrath as someone who always looked to make the school he was at better.

“I’ve known him for over 20 years,” Barber said. “He was a counselor at Jamestown High School when I was a teacher, and then later he was the principal of the building I worked in. He is a very focused man that can look at all aspects of the betterment of the school system and is always willing to try something new.”

Barber added that McElrath leads through example.

“He always is willing to listen,” Barber said. “He never has any knee-jerk reactions. He takes all of your thoughts and comments into consideration. He’s a great boss and I’m going to miss him.”

Barber said it would be hard to find a school event that McElrath did not attend, and that he gave “110%” to Jamestown Public Schools.

“He’s leaving big shoes to fill,” Barber said. “He came back and gave as much as he could to the community that he grew up in and loved, and he was able to do that because he left and saw something new and then came back.”

In his tenure at Jamestown, McElrath served seven years as coordinator of school counselors, five years as director of the middle school, eight years as principal at Jamestown High School, one year as Success Academy principal before it closed, and then two years as principal of Persell Middle School.

Dr. Kevin Whitaker, district superintendent, described McElrath as a kind person.

“I’ve known Mike for the two years that I have worked here,” Whitaker said. “My impression of Mike is that he is a kind and caring person — someone who wants to make a difference in the lives of kids, and genuinely wants everyone to be happy and lead a fulfilling life. I believe that everyone who has come to the personal decision that it is time to retire, should do so.”

He added, “Those who have put in multiple decades of service should be honored for that service and selflessness, and celebrated for their accomplishments in impacting the lives of others. Mike is a person with a lot of love in his heart, and a lot of desire to care for kids. I wish him the very best in his retirement.”

Annika Putney, fifth grade teacher at Persell Middle School, also has known McElrath through his previous positions.

“(McElrath) has been principal here at Persell for only two years,” Putney said. “However, I had worked with him in prior years when he was the director of middle level education for the Jamestown schools and helped us transition through different types of teaming situations.”

Putney added that McElrath is known for his calm personality that became an asset during the last two years of trying to get through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“(McElrath) is the most patient and easy going guy I know,” Putney said. “He doesn’t let much ruffle his feathers. His calm demeanor was welcomed during the last two very trying years in education. He always worked with us to problem solve various situations and issues that arose with our students and grade level work. This school year he has been a strong proponent and supporter of getting us back to teams in fifth and sixth grade and has advocated for the value of this on our students.”

Putney is excited for McElrath to have a restful retirement and noted that he has impacted many people during his time in education.

“While I will miss (McElrath) and his leadership style, I am also very excited for him,” Putney said. “He has served the students and staff in Jamestown in many capacities over the years, and deserves a restful and relaxing retirement. When we gathered for (McElrath)’s retirement celebration there was such a diverse group of attendees from the different places he had worked. Obviously his current staff at Persell came out to recognize this milestone, but so many others came because their lives and careers were impacted by (McElrath). Some came who had worked in the guidance department with him; some came from central administration; some from the Success Academy where he had been principal; and many came from JHS where he spent many years of his career. The gathering showed how much he was loved and how many people he truly impacted.”

Tina Sandstrom, chief director of schools, said she feels fortunate in her relationship with McElrath, because she also has been able to experience him as a parent of children who went to Jamestown High School.

“I worked with (McElrath) for over 20 years,” Sandstrom said. “I’m really fortunate because I worked with him as a colleague and then knew him as a principal when my kids were in high school. We think the world of him. He has touched and impacted thousands of students and families during his time.”

Sandstrom said one of the most notable things about McElrath is his ability to connect with his students.

“You can ask any student of his and they will tell you how much he connected with them,” Sandstrom said. “He not only connected with them but with the families and his staff as well. He will really be missed, but we wish him a happy retirement.”

More than anything, McElrath has earned a lot of respect during his time in education.

“I’m happy that both of my kids had him as a principal,” Sandstrom said. “Everyone speaks very highly of him. He is very well respected. We will miss him a lot.”