MOUNT VERNON – Superintendent Timm Mackley was blunt about the impact the late Terry Walter had on the Knox Learning Center.
“There’s not a thing in this building that wasn’t touched by Terry,” Mackley told the center’s staff this week. “We would not be here today having this conversation if it weren’t for Terry.”
Walter’s photo and legacy will endure on a plaque to be displayed in the center’s main hallway.
Walter, who was active throughout the community, died Oct. 8 at age 75. A contractor, one of his passions was repairing and upgrading the Learning Center building, which is housed in the 110-year-old former Mount Vernon West Elementary.
The Learning Center, an alternative school for elementary and secondary students, is operated by the Knox Educational Service Center (ESC). Mackley, who has served as ESC superintendent for 15 years, recalled his first meeting with Walter.
“I was at a meeting several years ago with a small group of people where there was a discussion about the Learning Center,” Mackley told the staff. “I said the building was falling apart. The roof was leaking. The walls were leaking. Floors were covered with filthy indoor/outdoor carpeting.”
The group noted the dilapidated perimeter around the building and the deteriorated condition of the playground.
“We had no money and no means to make repairs,” Mackley said. “I thought we might have to abandon ship.”
Mackley had never met Walter, who was at that meeting.
“Terry called me later to say he wanted to help. With assistance from the Aerial Foundation, the Knox County Foundation, Mark Ramser and others, Terry began working to put this building back on its feet. Terry was behind it all.”
Replacing flooring throughout the building proved to be one of the most challenging projects.
“The worst summer was when we redid the floors,” Mackley recalled. “Terry used his trailer to move furniture to a warehouse for temporary storage while the work was done, then he moved it all back. He led repair of the parking lot, new fencing and upgrading of the playground. The building’s brick exterior was resealed.”
Mackley displayed the plaque in Walter’s memory that will be placed near the Learning Center office. Between Walter’s name and the dates of his birth and death, it reads, “Thank you for all that you have done for the students and staff at the Knox Learning Center. You will not be forgotten.”