MORGANTOWN — Technically, Mike Kelly had nearly 800 years of names to read during Tuesday night’s meeting of the Monongalia County Board of Education – but he didn’t mind one bit.
Besides, the BOE president said, chuckling, it didn’t take long at all. After all, he said, there were only 27 names on that list of district employees who have retired in recent months.
To be exact, those teachers, administrators, cooks, custodians, aides and others put in 788 years of service, with the bulk of their collective tenure coming in Mon schools.
Among that list of standouts, Kelly said, there were some … well, standouts.
Such as Richard Sanders, a chief mechanic who put in 46 years at the bus garage in the transportation department.
And Starr Haught, who faithfully reported to Clay-Battelle for 41 years, retiring as cafeteria manager.
“That sums it all up about all our retirees,” the board president said. “It’s about their character and the character of our schools and our district, that they would want to stay on like that. Our kids are the ones who really benefitted.”
Other retirees include:
Joyce Ayoob, who was a cook for 12 years in the district.
Rhonda Bolyard, a special education teacher who spent her 33-year career in Mon County.
Melanie Boyd, a classroom aide who spent 23 years here.
David Cottrell, a teacher, coach and principal who spent 23 of his 35 years in Mon.
Debra Dezzutti, a 26-year cook in Mon’s cafeterias.
Darlyle Duley, a teacher and early intervention specialist who retired with 35 years of service, all in Mon.
Anna Fleming, a school counselor who spent 36 years of her 38-year career in the county.
David Gerard, who drove a bus for 31 years for Monongalia County Schools.
Paula Goots-Harris, a kindergarten teacher with 28 years of classroom experience, 20 of which were spent in the local district.
Angela Kirk, a special education teacher whose three years of service in Mon capped a 30-year career in the classroom.
Tamara Klemkowsky, a second-grade teacher who spent her 20-year career in Mon.
Gregory McElroy, a 22-year bus driver for Mon.
Kamela Meikle, a special education teacher who spent 24 years of her 28-year career in the county.
Allen Morgan, a custodian who logged 38 years in the county.
Rebecca Murdock, a library media specialist who logged a 22-year career here.
Elaine Riffle, a music teacher who spent all 22 years of her career in Mon.
Debbie Robbins, a science teacher who spent 29 of her 30 years in education here.
Dianne Schifino, who taught second grade for 19 of her 24 years in education in the district.
Earl Schiffbauer, who taught special education for 32 years in Mon.
Joseph Schmidle, a special education teacher who spent a 25-year career in the county.
Deborah Whoolery, who taught special education in Mon for 18 of her 20 years in classrooms.
Tonya Sollars, who spent 23 as an aide and autism mentor in Mon classrooms.
William Sollars, who was behind the wheel of a Mon bus for 34 years.
Sandra Twigg, who spent 25 years as a classroom aide.
Darryl White, a bus supervisor who spent 45 years in the transportation department.
