By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Colonel Crawford community came together to show appreciation for Superintendent Todd Martin on Tuesday for his tireless efforts and contributions to the school district.
Put together by the Colonel Crawford Board of Education, the community gathering for 
Martin was held as a way to thank him for the many hats that he wears for the school district. Board of Education President Tim Ley explained the reason behind the gathering.
“The board members and I decided that we needed to do something for Mr. Martin. For the past year and a half he has been doing so many projects,” Ley said. “Starting out for six months he helped out Buckeye Central as superintendent there, so he was working two jobs as superintendent, both Buckeye Central and Colonel Crawford.”
“At the same time that was going on the building project, the bidding, the planning, and the demo of all three buildings was going on,” Ley continued. “Then we had the natural gas well that needed capped at Sulphur Springs, so he has an EPA hat as well, he knows all the regulations dealing with natural gas. Then there was all the projects going on around the school, the new building, the new stadium lights, the new handicap bleachers at the stadium, all of these things were on his already overflowing plate the past few months.”
“Now it is coming down to manageable, very few irons in the fire, and we decided to show appreciation because he is a great superintendent for our board, the staff and the kids, and that is what is most important – the children,” Ley said.
For a little over an hour punch and cake were served for the celebration in thanking Martin for his work for the school. In between the refreshment tables, a poster done in Dr. Suess style thanked Martin for his wearing of many hats was on display.
The guest of honor, Martin, was thrilled with the outpouring from the community.
“I am blessed, this is a great community, I have a wonderful staff around me, an unbelievable administrative team, an incredible school board, and a community that just gives. They give and give and give, and I am just blessed to be in this position,” Martin said. “I feel that I should be the one putting on the party for them.”
Former Colonel Crawford staff member Joe Noblet explained why he attended the gathering.
“I am just showing my appreciation for Todd, he was principal and superintendent at the school, and superintendent when I retired, so I am just showing my appreciation,” Noblet said.
Colonel Crawford School Psychologist Linsey Phillips explained that she was at the gathering to show Martin appreciation for his work.
“I have known Todd for about five years, so I am here to show appreciation and let him know that we really do appreciate everything he does here at Colonel Crawford,” Phillips said.
Following the appreciation gathering the Colonel Crawford Board of Education held their August meeting.