School District Honors Retiring Educators

WOODSTOCK, GA -- The Cherokee County School District has said goodbye to more than 100 employees who retired at the end of the 2015-16 school year.

“An organization only is as strong as its people, and our retirees all have played an important role in establishing our school district as a leader in Georgia and the nation,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower said.  “Hopefully, we’ll see many of these retirees again as volunteers in our schools, as retired educators are an integral part of our District’s fabric.  We appreciate each one of them, and we wish them the best in their retirement.”

School and offices held retirement receptions supported by their staff members. A reception for retiring district department heads was held May 25 at the Educational Services Annex in Canton.  

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The four honored retirees – Director of Staffing Don Corr, Coordinator of Vehicle Maintenance David Gazaway, Director of Student Assessment Dr. Gayle McLaurin and Supervisor of School Nutrition Susan Turner – were recognized with remarks by assistant superintendents and Dr. Hightower. 

“I can confidently say that each of these retirees left their department in better shape than when they found it,” Dr. Hightower said.  “Their leadership will live on in the legacy of improvements and innovations accomplished during their careers.”

Each was presented with a plaque and a children’s book inspired by their vocation, a copy of which also will be placed in their name in the collection of a district elementary school. Guests shared memories and hugs in receiving lines for each honoree, and enjoyed cake and punch; the reception cost was paid for by donations from employees.

Other CCSD employees who retired this school year include: 

• Ace Academy: Dale Foote, Susan Henderson, Debra Walton
• Arnold Mill ES: Lisa Dykes, Martha Fricks, Wanda Gilliam
• Avery ES: Jane Nunnally, Rowena Robinson
• Bascomb ES: Gretchen Wojcik, Robin Zacherl 
• Buffington ESC: Debra Davis, Debra Farist, Roberta Faucett, Barbara McAuley, Susan Ritchie, Kay Sherrill
• Carmel ES: Deborah Dixon, Margaret Duke
• Cherokee HS: Jamie Basso, Nelson Hernandez, Tammy Robillard, Dave Sullivan, Rebekah Welch
• Clark Creek ES STEM Academy: Nancy Thompson
• Clayton ES: Deborah Champion
• Creekland MS: Deborah Gregory, David Heiser, Jan Rice
• Creekview HS: Peggy Corbett, James Dennis, Shelia Thigpen
• Dean Rusk MS: Katrina Haas, Teresa Kannawarf
• Educational Programs: Patricia Kearns
• E.T. Booth MS: Jill Berg, Donna Dochney, Martha Kenyon, Janice Roper, Gayle Vunak, Lena Washington
• Etowah HS: Sharon Arp, Ralph Duncan, Veronica Lucking, Lynda Moulton, Andrea Payne, Pam Teems, Robert Walker
• Freedom MS: Diantha Graves, Karen Phanco, Cathi Wagner
• Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy: Judy Brandon, Debbie Velji 
• Hickory Flat ES: Nell Hess, Diana May
• Holly Springs ES STEM Academy: Joyce Daniel
• Indian Knoll ES: Billie Millhollan
• Johnston ES: Betty Carlisle, Nicola Evans, Jacqueline Hawkins, David Keenum, Josephine Modica, Lori Rosa
• Knox ES: Marie Koloch
• Liberty ES: Sandra Godfrey, Deborah Morgan-Henderson
• Little River ES: Beverly Early, Lynne Ross
• Mill Creek MS: Linda Donnelly, Beverly McBrayer, Debra McCormick, Corliss Schwaller, Lori Tolar, Rochelle Trebucq
• Mountain Road ES: Judith Bracknell, Terri Kelly, Susie Olliff, Nancy Smith
• Oak Grove ES Fine Arts Academy: Jane Marchman 
• Polaris Evening School: Karen Thomas
• River Ridge HS: Millard Kenyon
• R.M. Moore ES: Annette Green, Karen Morgan
• Sequoyah HS: Todd Morrissey, Richard Potts
• Sixes ES: Susan Murphy, Judy Peck, Mary Werner, Susan Winchester
• Teasley MS: Stephen Ransom
• Tippens EC: Tony Lott
• Transportation: Richard Biedenbach, Shelia Daugherty, Michael Edmonds, Helen Evenson, Sally Garrison, Lia Novinski, Brenda McTaggart, Kenneth Riordon, Marsha Williams
• Woodstock ES: Sharon Fotinakes, Deborah Holder, Lorene Lee, Donna Rotruck
• Woodstock HS: Matilde Arnold, Thomas Beatty, Rick Glasper, Jolene Grant, Daniel Page, Timothy Rutz

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Photo: from left to right, Coordinator of Vehicle Maintenance David Gazaway, Supervisor of School Nutrition Susan Turner, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower, Director of Staffing Don Corr and Director of Student Assessment Dr. Gayle McLaurin. Credit: Cherokee County School District