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Poland school board recognizes 18 retiring staff members
POLAND
There were some tears and quite a few smiles as district officials and school administrators recognized 18 retiring district staff members whose time served ranged from 11 to 42 years.
The principal of the school from which each person is retiring recognized their efforts over the years, and the board presented each with a certificate.
“She’s done it all. ... Claire has dedicated her heart, her life and everything she knows to giving back to the kids,” Dobbins Elementary School Principal Michael Daley said of Claire Deemer, who retired from the school after 42 years in various positions with the district.
“She worked as hard on her last day as on her first day,” Poland Middle School Principal Mark Covell said of Diane Gesacion, who retired from a teaching position after 31 years.
“We are losing 368 years of experience, collectively,” Superintendent David Janofa said. “We thank you for every minute of the day you spent serving students.”
The board also voted to hire six staff members, including an English language arts teacher, two intervention specialists, two school counselors and an elementary technology teacher.
The board approved a new three-year contract for McKinley Elementary Principal Edward Kempers and a new two-year contract for Daley.
In other business, members voted to approve $8,099,329 in temporary appropriations for the first 90 days of the new fiscal year beginning July 1.
The board also voted to seek bids for a project at Union Elementary that will add a second driveway and additional parking spots to the property, since that building will house more students next year due to building consolidation.
The board accepted an $11,000 donation from Poland alumnus Eric Spiegel, president and CEO of Siemens USA. Spiegel delivered this year’s commencement address.
The funds, paired with $12,000 raised by the classes of 2013, 2014 and 2015 will be used to add a message board for school announcements at the corner of Dobbins Road and state Route 170.