School Director: Hundreds of Years of Teaching Experience Gone

Before a vote to approve the retirements of nine district teachers Monday night, School Director Manuel Pihakis shared a little math with fellow board members.

“We’re losing (hundreds of) years of experience,” he said. “It’s a big loss for our district.”

But he assured all those in attendance at the board meeting that the replacements being hired are “of the highest quality.”

“I’m sure those replacements are gonna fit in just fine," he said, adding they were "first class and first rate."

Those who retired include:

• Bernadette Berestecky from her position as a reading support teacher at effective at the end of the school year. She has been with the district for 32 years.

• Peggy Billingsley from her position as a second-grade teacher at effective June 8. She has been with the district for 31 years.

• Penny Cousins from her position as a physical education teacher at effective June 8. She has been with the district for more than 31 years.

• Crystal Deming from her position as a fifth-grade teacher at effective June 8. She has been with the district for 28 years.

• Eva Graziano from her position as an elementary music teacher effective June 8. She has been with the district for 29 years.

• Mildred Hendricks from her position as an elementary health/physical education teacher effective at the end of the school year. She has been with the district for 33 years.

• Deborah Murdock from her position as a first-grade teacher at Borland Manor Elementary effective June 8. She has been with the district for 37 years.

• Patricia Panseri from her position as reading support teacher at effective at the end of the school year. She has been with the district for 38 years.

• Patricia Coyne from her position as a reading support teacher at effective June 9. She has been with the district for more than 41 years.

The board also accepted the following resignations:

• Heather Sollon as varsity cheerleading sponsor

• Dennis Cole as assistant varsity football coach

• Jeffrey Ogrodowski as ninth-grade head football coach

Directors also appointed the following:

• Gary Ruozzi as assistant varsity track and field coach at a salary of $2.796

• Emily Mahoney as junior varsity girls tennis coach at a salary of $2,099

• Brian Muransky as assistant varsity baseball coach at a salary of $2,833