Southington School Board Has Kind Words For Retiring Teacher

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A well-known Southington High School teacher is retiring after more than three decades at the school, with local school officials offering kind words earlier this month.

Marion Stannard has taught at SHS for 35 years, according to the Southington Board of Education, but when commencement takes place in June 2023, she will call it a career.

Stannard is best known as the longtime chairperson of SHS' agriculture science and technology department, playing a vital role in inspiring countless to careers in that field.

Although based in Southington, students from area towns are eligible to attend high school there if involved in vo-ag, including: Southington, Berlin, Farmington, Bristol, New Britain, Cheshire, Plainville, Terryville, Waterbury and Wolcott.

Stannard's retirement became public at the Southington Board of Education meeting Dec. 8, as it was part of the Southington Superintendent of Schools Steve Madancy's personnel report.

Seeing her name on the list of personnel changes prompted a noted response from school board members, who approved the whole report.

"When I first got on the board, there was one person that I, kind of, gravitated to — Marion Stannard," said veteran school board member David Derynoski.

"I'm not disappointed she's leaving. She's earned her retirement that's coming up. But she's done a remarkable job," he said. "You couldn't ask for a better leader in that area. I'm happy for her, but sorry to see her go."

"Agreed. I very much agree. She's run a wonderful program for so many years," said SHS school board chairperson Colleen Clark.

For more information on Southington High School's Vo-Ag Department, click on this link.

For the minutes of the Dec. 8 Southington Board of Education meeting, click on this link.