John S. Long to retire after 38 years

In 38 years of teaching, Long has seen quite a transformation of the Pickerington Local School District and its high school music programs.

In that time, the district has gone from one to two high schools, grown to a districtwide enrollment of approximately 10,400 and he’s personally witnessed his vocal music classes blossom from a quiet group of nine students in his first year, to a state-recognized program that now draws about 150 students each year at Pickerington High School Central alone and receives invitations to perform throughout the country.

So it was with a sense of sadness and amazement that Long on May 4 gathered each of his current choir students, from freshmen to seniors, to his classroom to announce he would retire from teaching effective the end of the school day, May 31.