3 Teachers Resign from Shorewood Elementary Schools

The Shorewood School Board approved the resignations of three elementary school teachers Tuesday night.

In a letters to district administration and the School Board, third grade Atwater educators Amy Shields and Amy Sedlar, and Lake Bluff sixth grade teacher Catherine Mattke asked that the board grant their resignations.

Shield said she’s leaving Shorewood, after five years in the district, to move to Colorado and take advantage of a job offer out west.

Mattke said she felt fortunate to return to the district she attended as a child as a teacher, but she would like to stay home with her family for the foreseeable future. She has served in the district for the past 12 years.

Sedlar said even though she is resigning for her teaching position, she would like to continue in the district as a primary grade aide.

Earlier this school year, Joan Geary, a special education teacher at Shorewood High School, retired.

Bill Haury saw his retirement request approved in late January and will serve out the reminder of the school year. He has served in different roles in the district over 25 years, most recently as the middle school's dean of students and district athletic director. 

Other faces to leave the district include Benjamin Heupel, teacher at Shorewood Intermediate School, fill-in Shorewood Intermediate School social studies teacher Mariclare Kanaley, Atwater Elementary art teacher Nancy Kampmeier and library media specialist Susan Hersh. These staff haven't been in the district long enough to retire, though. 

Additionally, long-time district maintenance operations employees Norm Greene and Louis Johnson announced they would retire this school year along with Lake Bluff Elementary secretary Peggy Eannelli.

Teacher retirements have waned significantly this school year in contrast to previous years. The School Board historically averages five teacher retirements each year, according to Business Manager Mark Boehlke, but that number had doubled in the previous two years. The board traditionally asks retirement requests be brought forth before Nov. 15.

At last glance, the district expected a $60,000 savings from the turnover of teachers, though Haury's retirement hadn't been factored in. As veteran teachers — who are at or near the top of the district pay scale — retire, it opens the door for younger teachers to enter the district at lesser salaries.