After this school year’s over, the district will have lost 178 ? years worth of experienced employees to retirement, but their fond memories will never be forgotten.
At last week’s regular school board meeting, eight individuals were recognized for their years of dedication to the Oxford School District and given well-wishes by the administration.
Wendy Pritzlaff
Wendy Pritzlaff, a third grade teacher at Leonard Elementary, is the only teacher retiring in the district this year.
She’s spent all of her 31? years in the district at the Leonard school.
Leonard principal Joyce Brasington said past Oxford superintendents Roger Oberg and Gordon Schils ‘had it right? when they hired Pritzlaff into the district.
‘It’s phenominal,’Brasington said, noting that she could’ve had numerous parents and students come to the board with testimonials to Pritzlaff’s character.
‘We all wish her the very, very best,? Brasington said.
George Navarre
George Navarre has worked as a custodian for Oxford Schools for the last 37? years, and can be frequently found roaming the halls at the high school.
Bruce Biebuyck, head of maintenance, said Navarre’s work ethic is what made him stand out from the rest.
‘If we had overtime (needed worked) in the district and I couldn’t get people to do it, no matter what George was doing he’d change his schedule to make sure I had somebody to work,? he said.
Shirley Jones
Shirley Jones has made her rounds in Oxford since she began here 14 years ago.
Starting off as a secretary at the high school, Jones eventually moved to the bus garage and became an instructional paraprofessional before spending the last 10 years as a secretary at Daniel Axford Elementary.
‘Anybody who knows about schools and secretaries knows that this position is one of the most important in the school,? said principal Lydia Engell. ‘She takes care of me, and the teachers, and the students with boo-boos.?
Dr. Jerry Oermann
Being the director of special education doesn’t come easy. But with Dr. Jerry Oermann at the helm, everything seems to work out smoothly.
After nine years in the district, Oermann will permanently hang up his hat. He officially retired in 2006 but has been a contracted employee with the district since then.
Deputy superintendent Nancy Kammer spoke of the attributes Oermann possesses.
‘He truly cares about the special education students and the staff,? she said. ‘He works very, very hard to make things work for the students.?
Four other district employees who are retiring were unable to attend the board meeting include:
Kathy Rivest
Kathy Rivest has worked in the food services department for the last 22 years.
Mary Hadrill
Mary Hadrill has worked as a custodian and in the food services department for the last 15? years.
Carl Anderson
Carl Anderson has worked as a custodian for the last 29? years
Carol Anderson
Carol Anderson has worked as a dispatcher for the bus garage and a bus driver for the last 18 years.