Retiring Central Early Childhood Center Principal Maria Gioffre (left) looks on as school Superintendent Kevin Kanauss talks about her years of experience in Deptford.
The township board of education recognized 24 school district retirees during its June 4 meeting at Deptford Middle School.
The employees were accompanied by their families, growing attendance by dozens of people at the board session. Their collective years of service – just under 550, according to board member Jim McDevitt – mean some of them taught current district staff and administrators.
“On behalf of the board, and everyone sitting at this table, I roughly calculated just under 550 years of service sitting out there (in the audience),” McDevitt said. “Congratulations to you all.”
“Enjoy yourselves, be healthy and God bless you all,” he added.
Along with teachers, honorees included a principal, bus drivers and a bus aide, paraprofessionals, a cafeteria worker, a service aide, facilities workers, a learning disabilities teacher consultant and an administrative secretary. Each represented either the district as a whole or one of its respective schools.
Each retiree was introduced and all of them heard short speeches from Superintendent Kevin Kanauss, school principals and other staff. The retirees all got a small gift bag and a certificate recognizing their service.
“I have the pleasure of presenting (recognition) to five different staff members from the high school that are going to be retiring,” said Deptford High Principal Jason Strouse. “After my first full year, I’m not sure if that says something very good or very bad about me.
“The board of ed gave us a wonderful stage,” he added. “I’m thankful to have been a part of even a short amount of time with them. I say short, but it really wasn’t all that short, especially for at least for one or two of the teachers that had me as well.”
“From a child team’s perspective,” noted director of special education Michael Nicely of Maria Faust, an LDTC (Learning Disability Teachers Consultant), “we’re going to miss a huge pillar of our team next year. You are truly irreplaceable to the team and the district.
“You have definitely left your mark.
The next Deptford board of education meeting will be a special session to discuss district personnel at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
