Ten retire from SAD 1
A total of 10 staff members were recognized upon their retirement at the June 10 school board meeting. Their service ranged from 11 to 33 years, and all were given a plaque.
Presque Isle High School celebrated the retirement of English teacher, Debbra Martin and science teacher, Linda Palmer.
Presque Isle Middle School bid farewell to longtime employee, Sandy Curran, who has held many positions throughout the district. He retired as facilities manager, and his position will be filled by Wayne Brown.
Pine Street Elementary School celebrated the retirement of ed tech, Gloria Clair and Title I teacher, Jane Foster. Both gave 29 years of service to the district. Llori Kierstead, grade 3 teacher at Zippel Elementary School, Mary Graham, grade 8 ELA/SS teacher at Presque Isle Middle School, Mary Guerrette, Special Ed director, Mary Jo Badger, adult ed teacher and Diane Sites, adult ed secretary were also recognized for their years of service to the district, and the unique touch each of them brought into the education system.
Kierstead shared her final thoughts upon receiving much praise from Superintendent, Dr. Gehrig Johnson.
“It is with a heartfelt love of children that I feel like I have been blessed with this career,” Kierstead said.
Jay Nelson, longtime chorus director and music teacher for the district, resigned from his position. Board members unanimously approved Jenna Simonoff as the new music teacher for the district. Along with Simonoff and Brown as new hires, Irene Fancy was approved as a grade 1 teacher at Pine Street Elementary School for one year, and Shelby Miller was approved as the school nurse.
The budget validation vote results were discussed, with the $24,138,091 2015-16 budget for the district being passed by a landslide, with voters from Mapleton totaling in at 55 yes and 11 no, Castle Hill totaling 12 yes and 7 no, Chapman totaling 16 yes and 3 no, Westfield totaling 8 yes and 8 no and Presque Isle totaling 174 yes and 65 no, the total votes came out to 265 yes and 94 no.
The next school board meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Board Conference Room in Presque Isle High School.
