Not many people wind up staying in the same organization for 31 years anymore, but Burr and Burton Academy is fortunate that Steven Houghton, who retired last week as the school's assistant headmaster, did. Mr. H, as he was known to some around the school's campus, made an outsized contribution to the success of the school over the more than three decades he served in a variety of roles, often behind-the-scenes and out of the limelight, which was probably, we suspect, the way he preferred it.

He arrived at Burr and Burton Seminary, as it was then known, in the fall of 1981, fresh from winning a state championship with his West Rutland High School baseball team. In addition to becoming the school's athletic director, a job he held until 1996, he coached the girls basketball team for 13 years, winning two state titles and being named coach of the Year three times. He also served on numerous boards and committees that oversaw sports and academic issues - service that included serving as chairman of BBA accreditation process on two occasions.

But it probably his tenure as assistant headmaster that most families who passed through Burr and Burton over the years will remember him. In that capacity he handled many of the nuts-and-bolts, day-to-day issues that make the school function one day at a time. From calling snow days - an experience he humorously recalled during the main commencement address he gave at last week's graduation ceremonies - to hiring substitute teachers,

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to managing discipline issues - a job almost guaranteed to be a lightning rod for controversy - Houghton was one of the main bricks in the wall that held the place together.

Every organization, be it a school or business or for that matter, a newspaper, either needs or could benefit from a dedicated Mr. Fix-It person like Steve Houghton. Such constancy and consistency, day after day, year after year, gives a comforting predictability and sense of order that provides the foundation for such organizations to thrive and prosper.

Steven Houghton leaves behind large shoes to fill, and we congratulate him on a career well-served. While his retirement may allow him the time to burnish his hunting statistics somewhat beyond their present modest levels, we also think that he has more to offer his community, and that we haven't heard the last from him yet.

Meanwhile, congratulations, and good luck getting that second deer, Steve.