20 Wantagh School District Retirees; 498 Years Combined Service

WANTAGH, NY — June is the month when students think about their future, whether it's the next step in schooling or beginning to enter the workforce.

But with graduations, some educators are heading into retirement.

The Wantagh School District announced 20 administrators, staff and faculty ended their careers after the 2020-2021 school year. They have a combined 498 years of service to the community, including six retirees with at least 30 years in the district.

• Arlene Berman – Mandalay Elementary School – elementary teacher – 38 years
• Darlene Bifone – Wantagh High School teacher aid – 20 years
• Patrick Boyle – Wantagh High School – high school math teacher – 21 years
• Robert Channing – Wantagh Middle School – information technology specialist I – 22 years
• Catherine Cohen – Wantagh Elementary School – special education – 19 years
• Dale Coners – Mandalay Elementary School – reading teacher – 22 years
• Joyce Elsner – administration – secretary to the superintendent – 26 years
• Mary Evans - Mandalay Elementary School – elementary teacher – 23 years
• Jean Kelly – Mandalay Elementary School – teacher aide – 21 years
• Karen Kerge – Wantagh Elementary School – elementary teacher – 33 years
• Aimee Landau – Wantagh Middle School – elementary teacher – 30 years
• Denise Melnick – Wantagh Middle School – IT specialist – 25 years
• Victoria Pollaro – Mandalay Elementary School monitor – 30 years
• Linda Rini - Wantagh High School/ Wantagh Middle School/ Mandalay and Forest Lake elementary schools – occupational therapist – 15 years
• Susan Ryan – Wantagh High School – secretary to the principal – 19 years
• Maria Sierra – Wantagh High School – special education teacher aide – 21 years
• Joan Siracusa – Wantagh Elementary School – teacher aide – 21 years
• Daniel Smith – Wantagh High School – custodian – 27 years
• Hank Van Well Jr. – Wantagh Middle School – maintenance helper – 30 years
• Lisa Watkins – Wantagh High School – special education – 35 years