2 Educators Retire after Nearly 70 Years in MDIH District

The Maple Dale-Indian Hill School District is losing a couple familiar faces from its classrooms and hallways next year, after officials approved the retirement requests of two teachers Wednesday. 

The two educators — seventh and eighth grade special education teacher Annette Evans and eighth grade language arts teacher Barbara Franczyk — will call it quits after a combined 69 years in the district. 

Evans, who has taught at Maple Dale for 42 years, said in a letter to the board that her retirement request comes with mixed emotions.

"I have enjoyed the support of the past and present administrators and boards as I have endeavored to help proved an excellent education for our special education students," she wrote.

While Franczyk, who served for 24 years, wrote: "I have felt fulfilled and appreciated in my career and I realize what a gift this experience has been."

The School Board has approved the retirement requests of three other teachers this year. 

"They both have been solid figures in the schools and community," Superintendent Mary Jordan Dean said. "They have been outstanding educators, dedicated to kids."