School district to honor retirees

Receptions are in the works for 19 Lawrence teachers and staff who plan to retire at the end of the school year.

“What can I say about the legacy of teachers and staff who have been at this job for 20, 25, 30 years?” said Supt. Randy Weseman. “Saying ‘thanks’ doesn’t begin to express the kind of gratitude I have for their contributions, day in and day out, and their commitment to improving students’ lives.”

“Each of these individuals has made a lasting contribution. When you consider, collectively, the ripple effects of their work, it is very significant,” Weseman said. “It gives me hope for the future.”

A total of 40 teachers and staff have announced their intent to retire.

Not every retiree will be the subject of a reception.

“At some of the schools, they’ll have a staff luncheon,” said Julie Boyle, director of communications for the Lawrence school district. “And some (retirees) have asked that they not have a reception.”

Schools planning receptions and their honorees:

¢ South Junior High – Harlanne Roberts, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. today.

¢ Broken Arrow – Larry Bakerink, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Sunday; special program at 2:30 p.m.

¢ Cordley – Anita Martin, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. May 8.

¢ Hillcrest – MaryAnn Hubbard and Coyla Lockhart, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. May 9.

¢ Sunset Hill – Sue Hawley, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. May 10.

¢ Quail Run – Jane Imber, Elizabeth Hatchett and Jeanne Bronoski, 4:15 p.m.-5:30 p.m. May 18.

¢ Lawrence High School – Ron Commons, Karen Lyerla, Melessa Demo, Helen Seeley and Frances Holt, 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. May 18.

¢ Schwegler – Carol Armstrong and Judith Lacey, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. May 21.

A reception for Phyllis Lewin, Jane Liggett and Harriet Shaffer was held Wednesday at Southwest Junior High School.

A district-wide reception is planned for 4 p.m. May 17 at West Junior High School, during which all 40 retirees will be recognized.

Other honorees include the district’s 2006 master teacher, Gerry Bukaty; teachers of the year, Debby Cummings and Jane Rock; and new teachers of the year, Kyle Fonnedecker and Meghann Maddux; former Lawrence Education Assn. president Sam Rabiola.

David Livingood, a member of the Lawrence Education Achievement Partners governing board, and Steve Glass, president of the Lawrence Schools Foundation, will be presented with Citizen of the Year awards.

Teachers and staff to retire:

¢ Janet Adams, West Junior High School, paraeducator, 18 years.
¢ Carol Armstrong, Schwegler, sixth grade, 29 years.
¢ Larry Bakerink, Broken Arrow, principal, 24 years.
¢ Nancy Beale, Free State High, resource worker, 29 years.
¢ Don Binns, Central Junior High, social studies, 30 years.
¢ Jeanne Bronoski, Quail Run, resource worker, 31 years.
¢ Pam Bushouse, FSHS, music, 30 years.
¢ Jeanette Byington, Kennedy, fifth grade, 29 years.
¢ Mary Chapman, FSHS, English, 21 years.
¢ Ron Commons, Lawrence High, athletic director, 33 years.
¢ Sue Cranston, ESDC secretary, 22 years.
¢ Erland Crupper, FSHS, directed studies, 8 years.
¢ Melessa Demo, LHS, guidance counselor, 17 years.
¢ Catherine Ebmeier, Deerfield, library media, 18 years.
¢ Delores Fisher, LHS, paraeducator, 22 years.
¢ Sandy Flachsbarth, Woodlawn, first grade teacher, 18 years.
¢ Ruth Gibbs, CJHS/SWJHS, Latin/French teacher, 12 years.
¢ Elizabeth Hatchett, Quail Run, art teacher, 18 years.
¢ Suzanne Hawley, Sunset Hill, 4th grade teacher, 25 years.
¢ Lavonne Hays, Quail Run, food service assistant, 9 years.
¢ Charles Holley, CJHS, history, drama, media, 34 years.
¢ Frances Holt, LHS, guidance counselor, 30 years.
¢ Mary Ann Hubbard, Hillcrest, guidance counselor, 17 years.
¢ Jane Imber, Quail Run, library media, 26 years.
¢ Judith Lacey, Schwegler/ New York, gifted teacher, 20 years.
¢ Phyllis Lewin, Southwest Junior High, guidance counselor, 18 years.
¢ Sandy Liechti, WJHS, guidance counselor, 23 years.
¢ Jane Liggett, SWJH, library media, 19 years.
¢ Coyla Lockhart, Hillcrest, 5th grade, 23 years.
¢ Karen Lyerla, LHS, resource worker, 31 years.
¢ Anita Martin, Cordley, first grade, 15 years.
¢ Cheryl Nelsen, FSHS, English, journalism, 29 years.
¢ Effie Rinke, Prairie Park, kitchen manager, 18 years.
¢ Harlanne Roberts, South Junior High, reading specialist, 21 years.
¢ Helen Seeley, LHS, office occupations, 24 years.
¢ Harriet Shaffer, SWJHS, guidance counselor, 8 years.
¢ Darlene Smith, CJHS, library media assistant, 24 years.
¢ Suzie Soyster, Deerfield, principal, 14 years.
¢ Catherine Stephens, Pinckney, Title 1 Math, 20 years.
¢ Judith Wolfe, FSHS, math, 18 years.