The informal, evening reception in the Newark High School Library June 3rd was a nice way to say, ‘Thank you’ and share heartfelt praise and expressions of gratitude that evoked smiles and applause for 11 Newark Central School District staff who already have or will retire this school year.
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Superintendent Susan Hasenauer expressed heartfelt appreciation for the retiring employees combined 234 years of hard work and dedication to the Newark Central School District.
While nine of the individuals were unable to attend, she recognized and celebrated all the retirees many years of faithful service and invaluable contributions to both the district and students and wished them the very best in their retirement. She named each one of them and appreciatively noted their years of service to the applause of all those attending the reception.
“As always, this event is the culmination of many years of hard work, dedication, blood, sweat and tears,” Hasenauer said. “Regardless of your roles, each one of you have been a true professional who have shown by example, that excellence isn’t just something you aim for daily, but it is something that each one of you achieved. And I know with confidence this will only continue in your retirement.”
“Tonight, we have the distinct pleasure of honoring the many years of collective service and legacy of hard work and your commitment to the students and Newark community that each of you has served unselfishly.”
Then Newark High School Principal Kelly A. Zielke and Transportation Supervisor Michael Miller reflected on the invaluable contributions made by the two who were able to attend, Susan Yatteau, who until October was a teaching assistant at NHS and Steven Milligan, who until January worked as a full-time bus driver.
“Sue has been a part of Newark schools for 20 years as a TA,” Zielke said. “During her time here in Newark, she has supported students with testing and schoolwork, but it goes much deeper than that. She has been a school mom, a person who listens, the lady with snacks and socks and a fierce advocate for all students and their needs.
“Although you have retired from your day-to-day role here at the high school, we are happy to still have you as a part of the district as the Queen of Proctors, organizing and supervising events and ensuring that there are people in place to keep our events running smoothly and safely. The amount of work that you recently did to organize all the volunteers for the Special Olympics was huge and we could not have done it without you.”
Of Milligan’s years of service and now, as an occasional substitute driver, Miller said: “Driving a bus isn’t just about getting from point A to Point B. It takes immense patience, absolute reliability and a steady hand. For 21 years, Steve has been a person we could always count on to get students to and from school safely and on time. Whether dealing with unpredictable weather, or a bus full of loud students, Steve always managed to handle the wheel with grace and a smile. You’ve kept generations of students safe, and your daily presence has been a comfort to so many of us. Thank you for your years of dedication, your hard work and for always steering us in the right direction.”
The retirees, their current jobs, retirement date, years of service they worked for the NCSD follow:
Scott Hurteau, NM Teaching Assistant, 9/5/95-6/30/26 (31 years)
Michael Ciranni, NHS Music Teacher, 10/7/96-6/30/26 (30 Years)
Stacy Warren, District Office Secretary, 11/6/95-11/14/25 (30 years
Jennifer Gajan, NMS Teaching Assistant, 9/1/00-10/3/26 (26 years)
Tina Kline, Lincoln School Secretary, 9/1/00-6/30/25 (25 years)
Corrine DeJohn, Perkins School Food Service worker, 3/13/00-12/31/25 (25 years)
Steven Milligan, Bus Driver, 1/26/05-1/5/26, (21 years)
Susan Yatteau, NHS Teaching Assistant, 11/7/05-10/10/25 (20 years)
Jill Rising, NHS Monitor, 1/25/11- 2/19/25 (14 Years)
Pamela DeSando, Kelley School Food Service worker, 11/6/17-2/6/26 (9 years)
Hector Llano, Food Service worker, 9/1/22-6/6/25 (3 years)
Others attending the reception included: Donna Rizzo, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Paul Liess, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, Jake Taft, Executive Director of Human Resources, Board of Education President Russ Harris and Vice President Julie Nevelizer, BOE members Miranda Brooks-Ruggeri, Katie Pullen and Brandy Stephens, Lincoln School Principal Kari Hamelinck, Perkins School Principal Pete Czerkas, Kelley School Principal Christina Sullivan, NHS Assistant Principals Emily Schmitt and Tim Buckley, Jonathan Mastin, Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics, a few other district staff members, retirees spouses and other family members and friends.`
The retirees were also recognized at the BOE meeting that immediately followed the reception.