Community remembers beloved school leader

DEWITT, N.Y. — Manlius Pebble Hill’s gymnasium was packed Saturday with people who came out to remember a beloved school leader.

Baxter Ball, 64, died suddenly last Sunday. He had been the head of school at MPH since 1990. Under Baxter, the district grew a great deal and parents say he has ensured the school has a future.

“This school changed from a student body of about 200 students to a student body of 600 students. It was a small one building campus, it now has multiple buildings. We have a center for early childhood learning,” said Jamie Sutphen, MPH Board of Trustees President.

Alumni involvement and the school’s endowment fund also increased while Ball was head of school.