photo by: Joselyn King

Warwood School guidance counselor Rhea Rodgers, left, and husband, Wheeling Park High School athletic director Dwaine Rodgers were among those honored Monday as new retirees from Ohio County Schools.

Ohio County Schools has said goodbye to a collective 712 years of experience leaving the school district.

Board of education members honored 29 retiring employees prior to the start of their regular meeting Monday night. Collectively, the employees worked a total of 712 years for the school district.

The retiring employee with the most years as an educator was Triadelphia Middle School Principal Ann Coleman, who leaves after 45 years employed with the school district.

Among service employees, superintendent’s secretary Jane Davis is retiring after 40 years in the central office.

Other retiring professional staff honored included Mary Beaver, 21 years; Sherry Crummitt, 24 years; Deedra Davis, 30 years; Patricia Dorfner, 19 years; Sharon Jebbia, 10 years; Sheryl Long, 31 years; Celeste Marshall, 24 years; Dwaine Rodgers, 36 years; Rhea Rodgers, 35 years; Elaine Sedilko, 25 years; and Richard “Rick” Thomas, 19 years.

Service staff recognized included Gerald “Jerry” Ames, 37.5 years; Nancy Arensberg, 21 years; Debra Calmbacher, 28 years; Cynthia Dean, 19 years; Ronald Didion, eight years; Lawrence Ebbert, 25 years; Pamela Fischer, Jane Haught, 16 years; Terry Kestner, 29 years; James Gregory Kucera, 19 years; Sandra Schuetz, 27 years; Kyle Ann Sheets, 13 years; Sharon Stamm-Pettit, 16 years; Joseph Stolarski, 22.5 years; Linda Tyson, seven years; and Randall Walker, 38 years.

Each of the retirees received a symbolic pepper plant to take home “so you can continue to nurture,” Superintendent Kim Miller said. They were also given a certificate and an athletic pass to all school district sporting events.

Next, school board members honored one of their own who is retiring once again from the school district. Monday night marked member Christine Carder’s next to last meeting on the board, and she was presented a plaque for her efforts.

Members also made some moves Monday night to appoint new faces to new positions.

Drew Villani was approved as the new principal at Bethlehem and West Liberty Elementary schools.

Stacy Dietz, currently the principal at both schools, had requested a transfer to allow her to take a newly created position of school liaison for the school district. The transfer and her appointment to the new job were approved by the board.

Also officially hired as a school liaison was Unique Murphy.

Superintendent Rick Jones announced the school district plans to hire two additional school liaisons before the start of the new term. The positions, which place social workers in the schools, are being funded by the West Virginia Department of Education.

Two members of the public also addressed the board during the meeting.

Daniel Vetanze, formerly a service employee for Ohio County Schools, wanted to set the record straight publically regarding his recent resignation from his job. He explained medical conditions are making it impossible for him to return to work.

Julia Chapman spoke of a city ordinance she wants to propose, and she also would like the school district’s backing. Her ordinance would require all minors under the age of 18 attending events in the city to be accompanied by a parent or guardian for safety reasons.

The board next meets at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22 – a departure from their regular Monday night meeting times. Meetings take place at the board office, 2203 National Road, Elm Grove.