More than 100 years of experience will be leaving Mount Vernon and Lisbon Schools this year, as six educators and staff took retirement from both schools.
At Mount Vernon, that list includes superintendent Greg Batenhorst, transportation director Dennis Gross, nutrition director Marcia Purrington, social studies teacher Margo Massey and assistant director of technology Tim Larson.
At Lisbon, the lone retiree this year is business manager Laurie Maher.
As was noted at the retirement celebration at Mount Vernon Schools Friday, May 24, a lot of the staff at Mount Vernon were at their best when working alongside students. As Batenhorst said about Dennis Gross, who came for a second career after 35 years working with Schwan’s Foods, he was at his best when alongside those kids and safety of students was on his mind at all times.
Larson, as technology director Sam Flockhart said, was an example of patience, forgiveness and kindness when dealing with students at one of their worst moments.
Massey’s impact was pushing from more from her students in the classroom and on track teams, and chose to spend her own second career with educating students once more.
Purrington, Brand said, always kept the staff focused on making sure students were put first.
Both schools will be lesser for not having these people working there in the future and have been better places because of the time they all spent here working for our districts. Our thank you to the staff and teachers who are retiring this year and the work they gave to the Mount Vernon School District.
Sun Editorial: Our thanks to those retiring teachers, staff from area schools
June 6, 2024