NEW FRANKLIN — David Osborne is looking forward to having his first summer vacation in 52 years. The longtime treasurer of Manchester Local Schools retired at the end of April after working nearly 29 years in the district.<br /><br />“I’ve had my time and I’m ready to go,” he said.<br /><br />Osborne started working at age 14 as a janitor at his elementary school, St. Sebastian Parish School in Akron, and said he has worked ever since.<br /><br />“I’ve been told I’m like a walking history book of finance after being here and doing things for so long,” said Osborne, who is 66.<br /><br />A graduate of The University of Akron, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Osborne started his career as a teacher for 17 years. He taught computer education, accounting and English at St. Peter and Paul School in Doylestown, Tuscarawas Valley High School and Sandy Valley High School. He said he coached football, baseball and wrestling. He also served as the Jackson Township clerk, an elected position, from 1981 to 2000.<br /><br />“When I first started as treasurer, computers were here, but they were used for data entry,” Osborne said, noting the large computers took up a considerable amount of desk space.<br /><br />“I still have an adding machine on my desk and use a receipt book,” he said. “It’s standard in all school districts to have a paper trail, but I personally input the receipt book. I know when and how much money has come in to monitor the spending in the district.”<br /><br />Another benefit of handling the district’s receipts is Osborne’s knowledge of numbers.<br /><br />“I know statistics off the top of my head, and I have the ability to answer questions easily,” he said. “Anything that involves collecting money, I can give a pretty accurate ballpark numbers for because I collect receipts.”<br /><br />Assistant Treasurer Jennifer Rucker has worked with Osborne for 15 years, and she officially took over the treasurer position yesterday, May 1.<br /><br />“I am going to miss his knowledge about everything — he can whip it off,” said Rucker, adding Osborne has been a good friend.<br /><br />Superintendent Sam Reynolds said Osborne will be missed.<br /><br />“Over time, Mr. Osborne’s wisdom in finance has helped the district to solve financial challenges to provide new opportunities for the young,” he said. “His complete understanding and oversight of the Manchester Schools’ fiscal operation will be missed.”<br /><br />While Osborne said he is going to miss the district’s people and camaraderie, he won’t miss dealing with the state legislature over cuts to public education.<br /><br />He also said he will not miss wearing a tie every day, which is the district’s policy for male staff. Osborne said his ties have become his signature, and he has a collection of more than 200 of them.<br /><br />“They are a reflection of my personality. I like nontraditional ties with cartoons or pictures. I have at least one for every holiday, even Earth Day,” said Osborne, adding that many of the ties are gifts from his children. “Some I only wear one day a year, but I rotate them on my tie racks.”<br /><br />He and his wife, Katie, a teacher at Portage Path Community Learning Center in Akron, have eight children and 14 grandchildren.<br /><br />“Anyone who knows me knows that my family has always been my No. 1 priority. If I’m not at work, I am busy with my family, and now I can help out more with my family and grandchildren,” he said.<br /><br />Osborne said he plans to travel this summer with his wife, and he is an avid golfer and Cleveland Indians fan.<br /><br />“I’m looking forward to whatever’s next,” said Osborne.