Several staff celebrated as they retire after a total of 113 year of service

The district celebrated some if its finest during the June 11 Board of Education meeting, sharing a “congratulations” and “best wishes,” to several faculty and staff who are retiring effective the end of the month.

Those so honored were:

Jo-Anne Dobbins, Director of Special Education/PPS

Heidi Hohlfeld, District Treasurer, Business Office

Lori Schulze, Teacher, AHHS

Gary Stout, Teacher, AHHS

Robin Wilkins, Office Assistant, Business Office 

Laura Wygant, Teacher, Grady

“That’s 113 total years of service,” Superintendent of Schools Susan Yom said. “Each has a lifetime of service, commitment and care.”

Ms. Yom said that in her role as superintendent, she has seen first-hand the commitment each one of them had to their job and those they worked with and for.

“You touched hearts,” she said.

For Ms. Dobbins, the superintendent noted how she had a true commitment to every student and assured they had the resources they needed.

“Your compassion knows no limits,” she said.

As the district prepared a budget for the 2025-26 season, Ms. Yom worked closely with Ms. Hohlfeld in the Business Office.

“There are so many ways your stewardship has kept our district strong,” Ms. Yom said.

Noting how her office is just about next door to Ms. Schulze’s the superintendent joked she is going to miss the brownies the math teacher would bring in to share.

She noted too that Ms. Schulze not only helped student learn math, but “to become lifelong learners.”

As for history teacher Mr. Stout, the superintendent said, “he has inspired students to see the world through multiple perspectives.”

“Your work has really been seen,” Ms. Yom told Ms. Wilkins.

For Ms. Wygant, the superintendent described her as “the powerhouse in Title 1 grant coordination.”

However, she truly shown when she helped students “grow with confidence.”

Several administrators took time to share personal stories of working with this group as well.