After 26 years of dedicated service to the School District of Washington, including 20 years as Activities Director at Washington High School, Bill Deckelman officially retired on June 30, marking the end of an era for the school and community.

Deckelman joined the School District of Washington in the fall of 1999 as the placement coordinator at Four Rivers Career Center, a position he held for four years. He then taught marketing at the Career Center for two years. During all six of those years, Deckelman served as both the head boys and girls varsity soccer coach at WHS. He also had a stint coaching middle school boys basketball.

In the fall of 2005, Deckelman was hired as the new athletic director at Washington High School, replacing John Dieckhaus. He quickly became known for his ability to manage a broad range of school activities, from sports teams to music programs, and everything in between. His leadership fostered a culture of inclusivity and excellence, empowering students to explore their talents and build lasting friendships.

“Serving as Activities Director here at Washington has been the honor of my career,” said Deckelman. “I've been fortunate to work with incredible students, staff, and community members. Watching students grow through participation in activities and athletics is something I’ll always treasure.”

Deckelman has been a cornerstone of Washington High School’s extracurricular programs, overseeing athletics, student activities, fine arts, and numerous school events since taking on the role of Activities Director two decades ago. Under his leadership, Washington High School has expanded its programs, improved its facilities, built a reputation for excellence, and fostered a deep sense of school pride.

“I want to thank Bill for his 20 years of excellent leadership and dedication to our athletic and activity programs,” said Washington High School Principal Dr. Eric Turner. “His passion for supporting students, his tireless work ethic, and his unwavering commitment to our school community has made a lasting impact. His work has set a standard of excellence that will be felt for years to come.”

Adam Fischer will take over as Washington High School’s Activities Director. Fischer formerly was the Secondary Special Education Program Coordinator for the School District of Washington, a role he held for two years. He has been with the School District of Washington for 12 years. He has been in education as a teacher, coach and administrator for 15 years.

“Bill has done a tremendous amount of things for our school district, our students, and our coaches. He’s done a great job with the facility upgrades; between the track, the football and soccer field, the baseball and softball complex, and the overall appearance of the gym,” Fischer said. “Everything he does is with great determination. He wants to do what’s best for the school district, students, staff and coaches. The only real thing to say to him is thank you. He’s done so much for everybody. On a personal level, he’s done so much for me. On a professional level, he continues to do a lot for all of us.”

During his tenure, Deckelman managed hundreds of events each year, worked closely with coaches, directors, sponsors, and parents, and was instrumental in elevating the overall student experience. His leadership has contributed to countless successful seasons, state appearances, award-winning performances, and unforgettable memories for students and families alike.

Under Deckelman’s leadership, the district’s extracurricular programs flourished, with numerous athletic teams achieving success, and the fine arts department growing in visibility and prestige. He also played a key role in expanding the range of extracurricular offerings, ensuring there were opportunities for students with diverse interests to get involved.

Throughout his career, Deckelman was known not only for his leadership, but also for his genuine support of students and staff. Whether coordinating a major event, cheering from the sidelines, or working behind the scenes, he consistently went above and beyond to make sure every program ran smoothly.

“I have so many great memories as a Blue Jay, too many to mention just one. Over my 20 years as activities director, I had the privilege of working with three outstanding administrative assistants - Karen Graham, Patty Thornton, and Julie Holdmeier - whose support and dedication made my job significantly easier,” Deckelman said. “I’ve been fortunate to make many great friends, both colleagues and members of the community. The accomplishments of the activities department over the past 20 years wouldn’t have been possible without their support.”

“I can't even begin to describe how much we are going to miss Bill. He was an incredible leader to work for and has left an enormous impact on all who knew him,” said Holdmeier, the current activities administrative assistant. “He guided, supported and led with compassion. You could always count on Bill for thoughtful advice or a helping hand. He always put the students first and tried to make their experience at WHS the best it could be. His steady presence, dedication and loyalty to being a Blue Jay is going to be missed. It has been an absolute honor working with Bill. I am so grateful I had the opportunity.”

As he closes this chapter, Deckelman leaves behind a legacy of enthusiasm, integrity, and dedication. His influence will be felt for years to come through the programs he helped build and the lives he touched.

Washington’s baseball and softball complex, currently known as The Fields at South Point, will be renamed Deckelman Fields in honor of his retirement.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work alongside such dedicated students, faculty, and staff throughout my career,” said Deckelman. “It’s been a joy to see so many students grow and succeed in their extracurricular pursuits, and I am proud to have been a part of their journey. While I will miss my colleagues and the students, I am excited for the next chapter and look forward to watching the activities department continue to grow under Adam’s leadership.”

Bill Deckelman has retired after 20 years as Activities Director and 26 years with the School District of Washington.