Danny Federico: reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com
As the final bell rang on Wednesday, May 31, school hallways, classrooms and offices across the Suwannee County School District echoed with memories from throughout the year. Many students left their campuses eager for a much-deserved vacation before the new year begins, while seniors left to begin packing their bags for the next four years in college. Although the district's staff and instructors will remain hard at work over the summer months, they will be able to breathe easy without the pressure of young minds hanging on to their every word.
However, there are many individuals who will not return to their roles within the district, as they have chosen to retire. Now that the 2022-23 school year has come to an end, the Suwannee County School Board decided to honor these retirees during its meeting on Thursday, June 29. Although only nine were able to attend, a total of 27 individuals were recognized for their service to the school district. These retirees include: Derwin Bass, RIVEROAK Technical College; Renee Bass, Suwannee County School District; Darryl Cannon, Branford High School; Sarah Chavis, Suwannee County School District; Tina Colvin, Suwannee Springcrest Elementary; Vickie DePratter, Suwannee County School District; Carolyn Dexter, Suwannee County School District; Michael Dunmore, Suwannee County School District; Janene Fitzpatrick, Suwannee County School District; Teresa Gill, RIVEROAK Technical College; Melanie Griffith, Suwannee County School District; Caron Heffner, Branford High School; Cindi Hiers, Suwannee High School; Kevin Hingson, Suwannee County School District; Reba Hurst, Branford High School; Mary Johnson, Suwannee Opportunity School; Karen Koon, Branford High School; Lynn Lawrence, Suwannee County School District; Lynda McInnis, Suwannee Springcrest Elementary; Tammie McKay, Suwannee Middle School; Janell Miracle, Suwannee Riverside Elementary; William Ragan, RIVEROAK Technical College; Donna Rightmire, Branford High School; Eric Rodriguez, Suwannee High School; Denise Stewart, Branford High School; Julie Verdegem, Suwannee County School District; and Stephanie Whittington, Branford Elementary School.
“I really appreciate [your] dedication,” said Superintendent Ted Roush. “So many people come into education in some way, shape or form, and they don't stick around very long. The statistics that you look at for people who begin a teaching career or a career in any position within the school district, and they're still around in five, six, seven years, those numbers are getting fewer and fewer. So, for you all to stick with it and stay through it to the very end after 15, 20, 25, 30 years, that deserves a lot of appreciation.” “I just want to say, thank you so much for your decades of dedication,” said board member Ed DaSilva. Board member Norman Crawford echoed Roush and DaSilva's sentiments. “It's going to get harder and harder to replace people, and I know you guys will be missed because you've raised the bar,” he said. “It's because of people like you that make a difference; it's not what we do up here [on the board], it's what you folks do out there that make the district what it is,” said board member Tim Alcorn. “Loyalty, quality, dedication, commitment – just think about how many times folks sitting out there (in the audience) came to work when they didn't feel like it,” said Chairman Jerry Taylor. “Your dedication and commitment to your job – you were here.” He continued, saying it gives him hope for future generations to know the educators are instilling the same mindset in their own youth.
“It's not lost. It's a rare quality, but it's still here, and I see it on the faces of every single one of you. You all are the ones who make a difference.” Each retiree was presented with a gift bag containing a gift card and wind chimes, signifying the coming of the “winds of change.” Following the recognitions, the board continued with the rest of its meeting before adjourning. The next regular Suwannee County School Board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25, in the Suwannee County School District's board meeting room, located at 1740 Ohio Ave. S, in Live Oak.