Decades of Dedication: Ohio County Schools Honors Nearly 500 Years of Combined Careers

WHEELING -- It was once said that service doesn’t have to be big and grandiose to be meaningful and make a difference. The same can be said of a career in education, where years of service are measured not only by time, but by the lives touched along the way.

That message was reflected Monday evening as the Ohio County Board of Education recognized employees who retired during the 2025-26 school year, honoring educators and service personnel who combined for 477 years of service to Ohio County Schools.

During the board's regular meeting, Superintendent Dr. Kimberly S. Miller thanked the retirees for the lasting impact they made on students, colleagues and the district.

"I am really happy to be able to stand up here in front of you," Miller said. "I think I have worked with most of you in this room at various levels throughout my career and I know what an impact many of you in this room have had on me."

Miller said students benefit from the dedication of every employee in public education, from bus drivers and cooks to teachers and other school personnel.

"I think about how fortunate our kids are," Miller said. "The first person -- the bus driver, the cook, the teacher -- there are so many pieces of public education which you molded for our children and I can't thank you enough."

Miller noted the group represented nearly five centuries of combined service to Ohio County Schools.

"When I was reading through the list of retirees, we are close to 500 years of service in this 'graduating class,'" Miller said. "Again, we are so fortunate for everything you've done for us. Our kids are lucky."

She said the retirees served as mentors, supporters and educators who made lasting impressions on students and coworkers.

"You have been that shoulder for them to put their head on, you were that person that gave them that special pat on the back, you are the person that taught them math," Miller said. "You are all in this room and I can't thank you enough. The impact that you - not on the children - but on colleagues, on me, is everlasting. We could not do the things we do in this great county without the work that you have done over the years."

The board recognized Ellen Culler for 39 years of service, Stephanie Ferguson for 30 years, Amy Minch for 32 years, Tracy Mosca for 28 years, Debra Parsons for 25 years, Karen Perkins for 17 years, Peggy Rogers for 30 years, Tracy Salm for 30 years, Wendy Seidewitz for 20 years, Cynthia West for 14 years, Wendy Suter for 27 years and Cheryl Williams for 42 years of service.

The board also recognized Gregory Armstrong for 14 years of service, Marcella Brammer for 12.5 years, Sheryl Burris for 10 years, Christa Davis for 20.5 years, Brenda Sine for 21 years, Amy Speaker for 32 years, Kathleen Stefanow for 21 years and Trina Weitzel for 12 years.

"These employees gave so much to their school community and to our students," Miller said. "Our county is better because of the legacy they have left."

In addition to recognition from the board, retirees received a WVSSAC lifetime games pass, a personalized gift and a certificate honoring their years of service.

Board member Bernie Albertini said the annual recognition highlights the amount of experience leaving the district.

"It's always interesting to watch the retirees every year because that's a lot of years of experience that just walked out that door, so certainly big shoes to fill," Albertini said.

Board member Jerry Ames also praised the retirees for their dedication to students.

"There's a heck of a lot of experience there and a lot of great teachers too," he said.

In other business, the board approved personnel changes for the 2026-27 school year, including new hires, transfers, coaching assignments and service personnel recommendations. Members also rescinded previous reduction-in-force actions involving two employees who were reassigned to transportation department positions effective Aug. 20 and approved the consent agenda, which included meeting minutes, paid bills, transfers and supplements, a memorandum of understanding with the Greater Wheeling Coalition for the Homeless, and school volunteers and chaperones.