Trenton School Board Honors Retirees

The regularly scheduled Trenton Board of Education meeting kicked off Monday evening with a celebration honoring Trenton Public School employees who recently retired.

The retirees were given plaques with their names blazoned upon them and were allowed a few moments to speak to the audience.

The plaques were presented by Board President Dennis Bearden.

Some of the people retiring were general education teachers, others were special education teachers and one man was retiring after 26 years as a custodian.

Howard Hammes graduated from Trenton High School in 1978 and was hired by the district in 1984. He was first to receive a plaque.

Hammes said he was proud to serve as a role model for the children in the district and shared stories about his time as a custodian for Trenton Public Schools. He officially retired Sept. 1, 2010

"Those are the fond memories I have and, I want to say, being a role model for the students, no matter what your job is, I gave it everything I had and I would hope that these students remember me and the other people (retiring)," Hammes said.

Mary Ann Sitek taught community education for 12 years and said the district was filled with nice people and that she missed everyone. She retired July 1, 2010.

"I loved working in Trenton," Sitek said. "Everyone I worked with were just a great bunch of people."

One former paraprofessional of over eight years, Linda Fuson, began to tear up as she gave a brief history of her life leading up to working for Trenton Public Schools. She graduated from Trenton High School in 1968 and began working for the district in 2003.

"An opening came up in special ed(ucation) and I had a love for these children," Fuson said. "And by the grace of god I was given a job and I have been blessed to work with these children, and if I have anything to ask of the people of this district, it's to please remember our special needs (children). Remember them."

Here is a list of people who recently retired from Trenton Public Schools:

• Robert Kreszyn had 36 years of service to the district as a special education teacher. He retired on June 30, 2010.
• Barbara McCarthy had 21 years of service in the district as counsellor and teacher. She retired on June 30, 2010.
• Mary Ann Ford had 14 total years with the district as a food service cashier. She retired on July 1, 2010.
• Karen Waller had 7 years with the district as a supervisor of food services. She retired on July 1, 2010.
• Pam Woznick had over 24 years with the district as a food service helper and custodian. She retired on July 1, 2010.

"We sure do appreciate their service," Bearden said.