Forestville recognizes district retirees
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FORESTVILLE -- Five members of the Forestville Central School District are moving on with the next chapter of their lives after dedicated service to the district. Superintendent Dr. John O'Connor and Middle/High School Principal Dan Grande spoke about the individuals at a recent meeting of the Board of Education.
Amy Gier, Forestville's music teacher, will be signing her own tune in retirement after approximately 30 years with the district. "For somebody that's been with us that long, having the opportunity to work with so many students year after year, there's probably in the thousands of students that you've had in the risers," Grande said. "It's no easy feat – you prove it every single time we have a concert ... you somehow magically get it done. We thank you for your service to the district and we appreciate everything that you've given to all of our students."
Ann Collura retires after 27 years in the district, serving a multitude of roles – most recently as an aide in the main office at the high school. "She's one of those integral pieces that, I don't know, honestly, how we're going to replace in that position. ... I have no idea what we're going to tell the next person. The only thing I can come up with is, 'You're going to do everything, because that's what Ann has done there'," Grande said. "Ann has been a loyal servant to the district, and she's been a friend to everyone in that office, and everyone that is in this building."
Shari Leichner retires from her role as School Librarian, which she held for the past 20 years. "Every single day, Shari is looking for something different to display. ... Everything goes right back to something that they've read in the library," Grande said. "She has been a tremendous asset to the teachers, when the teachers needed something to supplement their instruction in the classroom."
Grande joked, "You've worked for a few administrators, and you've impressed a lot of them, but probably not as much as you impressed the guy who married you, who was your previous administrator, sitting next to you." Grande wished Shari and her husband, Chuck Leichner, the best in their retirement together.
Two other members of the district -- Janet Buehler, AIS Reading Teacher and Mike Gajewski, Head Bus Driver -- retired a year later than they originally planned to, after Dr. O'Connor returned to the district. "They're both terrible at retiring. Both of them retired and then came back to work," O'Connor joked.
Speaking to Buehler, O'Connor said, "I can think of one student, in particular, that you spent a lot of time with this year, who has shown a tremendous amount of growth. That doesn't happen accidentally."
O'Connor continued, "Often when veteran teachers leave, we are sad because we lose that knowledge, and that's exactly what's happening with Janet. ... I thank you for all your years of service and I'm glad I got to spend this year with you."
Gajewski served as a representative for the union for many years in addition to his duties as a bus driver, and eventually, a transportation supervisor.
"I don't know how Mike – or any transportation supervisor – does it, but somehow they get kids from Point A to Point Z every single day, and Mike always find ways to make that work," O'Connor said. "... Mike, I want to thank you for your service to this district and to the kids. I wish you well in retirement."