First Lady of DHS: Patty James retiring from Du Quoin high school's front office

Patty James' tenure as accountant for the Du Quoin High School has crossed through the principalships of Tom Bock, Gary Kelly, Lybrand Beard (twice), Dave Skocy, Tammy Beckam and currently Matt Hickam.

She follows Betty Green in a closely held lineage that, were this Washington D.C., would warrant oil paintings being hung in the White House and the china being changed.

"Maybe Dixie paper plates and red Solo cups," Patty and secretary Billie Stephens laughed in unison.

Twenty years ago when former principal Tom Bock banked at what began as Mount Vernon Savings & Loan--now Regions Bank--she asked about a recruitment ad to fill Mrs. Green's position. Patty applied and within a week was hired.

She brought a banking discipline to the position that includes managing 72 high school activity accounts, an impress fund from which things like IHSA officials are paid, district registration and accounts not solely handled by the district's Central Office.

She transitioned the high school from a largely handwritten bookkeeping system to a computerized system she navigates through easily every day.

"When I came into this job, Tom Bock told me this is the time to do it your way," she says. Her way has withstood the test of time--since 1993.

The early days were the acid test. "I remember going home for the first month to cry," she smiles. "But, you have to have paper trails," and her career has been marked by that discipline.

But, you wouldn't expect anything less from Patty, husband Lonnie and their three children--Lori James Gross, Crystal James Rogers and Jason James, an educator and respected coach who has galvanized girls' athletics in District 300.

Both Jason and Lori are among the school's Outstanding Senior Athletes.

There's probably a Post-It note somewhere that says "Leave This Operation Alone."

District staff member Denise Hirsch will fill the vacancy and Patty has every confidence in her ability.

"I have worked with a lot of great people. I have watched people with kids grow up. Good times. Bad times. Hard times.

"Any challenge, we just did it," she says.