Caroline County Public schools wished 29 employees a happy retirement this month with celebrations, gifts and heartfelt well wishes from colleagues and friends.
In honor of their service to students, a donation in each retiree’s name was made to Imagination Library, a program which provides a free, age-appropriate book every month to any child in Caroline County, from the time they are born through the age of five. Each individual $50 donation will cover the cost of providing two children with monthly books for one year. With 29 retirees, the total amount of the donation was $1,450.
Retiring school staff were honored at their respective schools; those serving in a districtwide capacity were honored at a reception at Cow Barn Events in Ridgely.
In welcoming guests to the reception, Board of Education President Rick Barton said that retirement just the beginning of something new, and retirees should fully embrace that. Superintendent Derek L. Simmons noted that the Central Office and administrative retirees represented 161 years of institutional knowledge and experience. He reflected on the each of them had long been an essential part of the Caroline family, both professionally and personally, and the district as a whole would feel the loss of their presence.
Each of the retirees’ direct supervisors introduced them, shared memories, and expressed appreciation for their contributions to students, families, and colleagues over the course of their careers. Dr. Simmons presented each of them with original artwork print specifically created for CCPS that identified school locations in a county map outline. They were also presented with a special plaque, designed and created by Caroline Career & Technology teacher Keith Hale and the Advanced Manufacturing Program students.
Remarks were also given by former Assistant Superintendent Milton Nagel. He touched on his history with and appreciation for all the retirees but particularly focused on his many years of working with Marsha Tull.
All event photos may be found on the CCPS Flickr page.
2024 Retirees
Name - Position - Current School - Years of Service in Caroline
Renee Baker – Ridgely Elementary School - 26
Mary Bailey – North Caroline High School - 35
Tamra Baurys – Greensboro Elementary School - 33
Penny Boyd – North Caroline High School - 25
Laura Breeding – Lockerman Middle School - 30
Amy Crawford – Support Services Center – 24
Debra Jones – Federalsburg Elementary Schools -
Cheryl Lawrence – Central Office - 28
Teresa Liszewski – Support Services Center - 21
Colleen MacFarland – Greensboro Elementary School - 25
William Gary Marvel – Support Services Center - 12
James McCormick – North Caroline High School - 30
Carmen Milligan – Support Services Center - 44
Cynthia North – Colonel Richardson High School - 26
Larry Nuttall – North Caroline High School - 30
Karen Patrick – Greensboro Elementary School - 29
Kurt Plinke – North Caroline High School - 20
Marcia Porter – Lockerman Middle School - 25
Janice Pugh – Denton Elementary School - 12
Christopher Schall – North Caroline High School - 33
Linda Silsley – Denton Elementary School - 35
Daryl Silsley – North Caroline High School - 33
Tammy Stivers – Colonel Richardson High School- 26
Kathy Tull – Preston Elementary School - 27
Marsha Tull – Central Office - 32
Jody Ward – North Caroline High School - 19
Deborah White – Denton Elementary School - 34