Retiring administrator moves toward crafting new pursuits

Robert Allten retires this month from his job as principal of Pedro Menendez High School in St. Augustine. Allten has served the St. Johns County School District as an administrator and teacher for 30 years. BILL BAINBRIDGE/Special to My St. Johns Sun 

EDITORIAL 

By WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE 

If St. Johns County School District were a professional baseball team, they would be losing one of their best “utility men.”

Having performed many positions in his career, Robert Allten is ready to move on to the next stage of his life. Allten has served as principal of Pedro Menendez High School, Landrum Middle School and Ponte Vedra/Palm Valley Elementary School; director for planning and accountability for the county system; administrative roles at Nease High School and as a chemistry and biology teacher.

At age 59, Allten is retiring this month from Menendez, where he is currently principal, after 30 years service to the district. This well-known educator will surely find a home for his awards including:

*The Florida Commissioner of Education’s Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership

*University of North Florida Outstanding Florida Educator Award

*St. Johns County Educator of the Year

*Teacher of the Year

*Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Local Hero Award

First in a long list of retirement plans, Allten plans to spend more time with his wife, Susi. He also wants to become a master woodcrafter.

“I’ve been building furniture for over 25 years and have done a significant number of commercial pieces,” he said.

Since custom bars, custom entertainment centers and dining tables are hot items, he plans to start his third career. Early in life he was with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

An avid golfer, Allten also has plans to “significantly decrease” his handicap.

This chemist turned educator has had a rewarding career, including a benchmark at the White House in 1994 when Allten led Landrum Middle School to the national Blue Ribbon School ceremony. “That was a real highlight,” Allten said.

Across the nation there is high demand and low supply of those capable and willing to tackle the rigors of school administrative positions. Consequently it was no surprise when St. Johns County Superintendent Joseph Joyner gave me Allten’s name as one of the important contributors to students and teachers who will be retiring.

Allten is pleased that 20-year-veteran educator Clay Carmichael will be moving from Fruit Cove Middle School to occupy the office he is cleaning out at Menendez.

“Dr. Carmichael is the right guy for the job. The central administration here has supported me well and will do the same for him,” Allten said.

Allten is leaving with a treasure trove of memories. No matter how busy he gets, the memories of students and staff will never be far from his mind. His leadership made a big difference in many different roles in St. Johns County Schools.

William L. Bainbridge, Ph.D., of St. Augustine, is Distinguished Research Professor – SchoolMatch® Institute. E-mail Bainbridge@schoolmatch.com