Trixie Doll has been a steady and familiar presence in Carroll County Schools, building relationships, supporting students, and serving the community she has always called home.
A Carroll County native and a 1985 graduate of Carroll County High School, Doll’s roots in the community run deep. Even now, she describes herself the same way she did in her resignation letter.
“I was raised a Panther, and I’ll always be a Panther,” she said. “Even though I don’t live in Carroll County anymore, this is still home.”
Carroll County Schools Superintendent Casey Jaynes offered his congratulations to Doll. “Trixie has been a valuable resource to the district in numerous positions over her career and has helped the district office team maintain perspective when working with principals and teachers. Her relationships within the district and the community will be missed by our team,” he said.
After more than two decades serving the district, Doll is retiring, closing a chapter that began in a way she never expected.
When she and her husband, Randy, were starting their family, the plan was simple. She would stay home and raise their children. That is exactly what she did for 10 years, caring for their three kids before deciding it was time to return to work.
“We had three kids under the age of five, and we just didn’t want other people raising our kids,” she said. “When I decided to go back to work, Randy told me to find something where I could work while the kids were in school. Carroll County Schools was the perfect fit.”
She began at Carroll County Middle School, where she would spend the next 21 years. For 17 of those years, she served as an attendance secretary before stepping into the role of bookkeeper for four years. While she later moved to the district office as a project clerk on the finance team, Doll said the middle school will always hold a special place in her heart.
“That’s where the bulk of my career was, and that’s where I felt like I was meant to be,” she said. “A lot of people don’t get middle school kids, but they were my favorite.”
It was in those middle school hallways that Doll built lasting relationships, especially with students who needed extra support.
“I was always drawn to the kids who didn’t have a good home life or didn’t have somebody,” she said. “Sometimes they needed tough love, just like my own kids did. And sometimes they just needed someone to care.”
One moment that stands out came years later, when a former student returned to thank her.
“She told me I got her through middle school and that I talked to her just like I talked to my own kids,” Doll said. “She said it made her straighten up. That meant a lot to me.”
Though she jokingly describes herself as a “hardcore mom,” Doll believes that balance of accountability and care is exactly what middle school students need.
“They can be hard to love at that age,” she said with a laugh. “My own kids were. But it’s a fun age, and I truly enjoyed them.”
Four years ago, Doll made the transition to the district office, where she worked as a project clerk handling federal grant paperwork, time and effort reporting, and staff attendance. While different from her time in the school building, she embraced the opportunity.
“It’s been a fun four years, and I’m glad I did it,” she said.
Chief Financial Officer Jon Conrad, who served many years as DolI’s supervisor, congratulated her on her upcoming retirement. “Her 26 years of dedication, both at CCMS and at the Central Office, after she began her career as a substitute, have left a lasting impact on Carroll County Schools,” Conrad said. “Her commitment to Carroll County Schools has made a difference every single day! I wish Trixie a wonderful retirement filled with happiness, relaxation, and the opportunity to enjoy everything she loves most.”
Doll’s decision to retire comes alongside another major life change. Her husband, Randy, is also retiring after 32 years at North American Stainless, and the couple is looking forward to beginning this next chapter together.
“We always said we would retire together,” she said. “It was a hard decision, and I thought about it for months. But finally I said, if we’re going to do this, let’s do it.”
Their retirement plans include spending more time with their three children and nine grandchildren, whose ages range from 5 to 18.
“They’re all involved in different things, especially sports, so we’re going to stay busy,” Doll said. “I’m excited to go on field trips and do things with them that I didn’t always get to do before.”
There will also be time for travel, home projects, and helping support Randy’s work in farming and pastoring. And, of course, enjoying their newest addition, a dog they jokingly call their retirement gift to themselves.
Still, leaving Carroll County Schools will not be easy.
“I know I’m going to miss it,” she said. “I don’t think you ever really know if you’re making the right decision when you retire. I’ve loved being here. It’s just always been a good fit.”