Retiring Teachers Racked Up 475 Years of Service

A number of teachers were recently honored for a combined 475 years of service to the district as they all prepare for their retirements this year.

This year’s retiring teachers were honored at the June 11 board of education meeting, and were presented with, from the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association, $5 for every year they have been a member of the union.

“I have always said the staff represents the bedrock on which the district has been able to rise to lofty heights,” said Steve Beatty, social studies teacher at the Bridgewater-Raritan High School and president of the B-REA. “It is great to know, and apropos, that we are here tonight to offer thanks for taking on the challenge all these years ago, and for serving the community.”

Board of education president Patrick Breslin thanked the teachers for their continued work.

“It’s a rare opportunity to be able to impact so many lives over such a period of time, and we want you to know that all of us and the community appreciate what you’ve been able to do for our students, and for the district,” he said. “It is because of the dedication and fine performance of our teachers that our students move on to exceptional careers.”

Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder agreed.

“You can have a great curriculum and great facilities, but that is meaningless unless you have great people,” he said. “This is a tough loss, but we will certainly do our best with recruitment.”

Those retiring this year are:

• Susan Bell—Speech/Language specialist at Eisenhower Intermediate, 10 years
• Renee Benson—Art teacher at BRHS, 11 years
• Kathleen Buchan—Language arts teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, 28.6 years
• Deborah Fabricatore—SE/IC&PO at BRHS, 35 years
• Michael Franz—Science teacher at BRHS, 7 years
• Kathryn Galvao—Business/Tech teacher at BRHS, 19 years
• Mary Hazuka—Family & Consumer Science teacher at BRHS, 18 years
• Philip Herold—Maintenance, 35.8 years
• Mary James—ETS at Bradley Gardens Primary, 15.5 years
• Tamara Lane—Nurse at Hamilton Primary, 22.11 years
• Margaret Linney—Counselor at BRHS, 27.4 years
• Ellen Melore—Fourth grade teacher at John F. Kennedy Primary, 19.9 years
• Beth O’Connor—SE/IC&PO at BRHS, 36 years
• Carole Payne—Nurse at Crim Primary, 25 years
• Joyce Picone—SE Assistant at BRHS, 12.3 years
• Linda Ruegnitz—SE Assistant at Adamsville Primary, 11 years
• Pamela Ruggini—Social Studies teacher at BRMS, 19 years
• Michael Schilder—Superintendent, 6.7 years
• Denise Schulz—Secretary at Hillside Intermediate, 14.4 years
• Susan Shaw—Speech/Language specialist at Milltown Primary, 15.8 years
• Rosemary Shickora—Secretary at the Wade Administration Building, 26 years
• A. Toby Simon—Music teacher at Van Holten Primary, 11 years
• Madelyn Smith—Language arts teacher at BRMS, 21 years
• Marion Tait—Secretary at Crim Primary, 25.2 years