Anchor Bay Bids Farewell to 19 Staff Members
The Board of Education recognized the 2011-12 retirees at the Wednesday night meeting in Anchor Bay Middle School North.
Anchor Bay Schools Board of Education honored 19 staff members with a combined 452 years of service at the Wednesday night meeting.
The 2011-12 retirees in attendance were called individually, given small parting gifts and a refreshment break was held to celebrate them. Several of the staff members had retired in June under early retirement incentives. Some of their positions have disappeared to save money, according to district officials.
"We're getting funded at 2005 levels right now," Director of Secondary Education Paul Rogers said.
Despite receiving less funding than most Macomb County districts, Anchor Bay remains at the head of the class in test scores and strives to keep it that way in spite of buget setbacks, Rogers said.
"Our superintendent set the bar high in terms of achievement," he said of Superintendent Leonard Woodside.
Last summer, the district announced it was laying off several paraprofessionals. The staff reductions were attributed to scheduling issues and changes in the kindergarten structure from the previous school year. Multiple teachers, who were previously affected by layoffs, were called back to kindergarten classrooms this school year, Human Resources Director Robert Tidd said then.
Anchor Bay Retirees
The retirees were honored for their service and for setting an example for less-experienced educators and staff members. Accoring to the district, they are:
- Ginger Shepherd, Anchor Bay High School English teacher
- Doug Hayden, Great Oaks Elementary fourth-grade teacher
- Angelo DiMaggio, Anchor Bay High School, physical education teacher
- Kathy Wilk, Anchor Bay High School, counselor
- Nadine Rickard, Pupil accounting
- Jeannine Kammer, Ashley Elementary, third-grade teacher
- Judith Jenkins, Maconce Elementary, third-grade teacher
- Arlene Serafin, Lighthouse Elementary, head cook
- Debra Rivard, Administrative assistant, Central
- Nancy Jens, Anchor Bay High School, life skills teacher
- Maggie Dunn, Data Para, North
- Laurel Blom, Anchor Bay High School, life skills teacher
- Mary Ann Darga, Sugarbush Elementary, food service
- Joanne Rachuk, Anchor Bay High School, paraprofessional, special ed.
- Diane Piersante, paraprofessional, preschool
- Darlene Krause, Sugarbush, para, special education
- Lois Payette, Lighthouse, SAC head caregiver
- James Pence, Anchor Bay High, custodian
- Hugh Meldrum, Naldrett, custodian
