The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 held a luncheon last week to honor 11 teachers and staff members who are retiring at the end of this school year.
The retirees have a combined 258 years of service to the district.
Mary Brown began employment as the Chief Financial Officer in 2006. She served as Interim Superintendent in 2013 and in 2014 she was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Business Services and School Treasurer/CSBO. Brown has 11 years of service with District 65.
Jean Luft began employment in 1994 at Dawes Elementary School, where she taught 1st Grade and Kindergarten. Her most recent assignment is at Willard Elementary School. Luft, a past president of the District 65 Educators Council, has 23 years of service with District 65.
Pamela Akins-Schanette began employment as a physical education teacher at Park School in 1984. She also worked at Dewey, Willard, and most recently Walker elementary schools. She has 33 years of service with District 65.
Ina Allen began employment as a music teacher at Chute Middle School in 1996. She also worked at Haven Middle School, but returned to Chute in 2004, where she has remained for the duration of her tenure. Allen has 21 years of service with District 65.
Mary Olsen began employment as an art teacher at Walker and Lincolnwood elementary schools in 1984. She has also taught at Kingsley Elementary School and Rice Education Center. Olsen has 33 years of service with District 65.
Peggy Basolo-Silkaitis began employment as a physical education teacher in 1984 at Washington Elementary School, where she has remained for the duration of her tenure. She has 33 years of service with District 65.
In addition to those pictured above, retirees included Renaud Beaudoin, Terry Blake, Pierre D’Haiti, Annette Hereford, and Gail Young.
Renaud Beaudoin was hired as the Principal of Orrington in 2010. She has seven years of service with District 65.
Terry Blake began employment as a teacher assistant at Oakton Elementary School in 1994. She also worked as a secretary and as a health clerk, her most recent assignment. Blake has remained at Oakton for the duration of her tenure and has 23 years of service with District 65.
Pierre D’Haiti began employment as a custodial floater in 1996. He was head custodian at Willard and more recently at Lincoln Elementary School. He has a total of 18 years of service with District 65.
Annette Hereford began employment as a team leader for the child care program at Kingsley in 1984. Her most recent assignment was site coordinator at Washington. Hereford has 32 years of service with the district.
Gail Young began employment as a teacher assistant at Kingsley in 1994. She was also a permanent substitute and, most recently, a First Grade teacher at Dewey. Young has a total of 24 years of service with District 65.