The Cherokee County School District is saying goodbye to more than 100 employees who are retiring this school year.

An organization only is as strong as its people, and our retirees all have played an important role in establishing our School District as a leader in Georgia and the Nation, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. Hopefully, well see many of these retirees again as volunteers in our schools, as retired educators are an integral part of our Districts fabric. We appreciate each one of them, and we wish them the best in their retirement!

School and offices held retirement receptions supported by their staff members. A reception for retiring CCSD department heads was held on Wednesday at the Educational Services Annex in Canton. The four honored retirees Director of Staffing Don Corr, Coordinator of Vehicle Maintenance David Gazaway, Director of Student Assessment Dr. Gayle McLaurin and Supervisor of School Nutrition Susan Turner were recognized with remarks by Assistant Superintendents and Dr. Hightower.

I can confidently say that each of these retirees left their department in better shape than when they found it, Dr. Hightower said. Their leadership will live on in the legacy of improvements and innovations accomplished during their careers.

Each was presented with a plaque and a childrens book inspired by their vocation, a copy of which also will be placed in their name in the collection of a CCSD elementary school. Guests shared memories and hugs in receiving lines for each honoree, and enjoyed cake and punch; the reception cost was paid for by donations from employees.

Other CCSD employees who retired this school year include:

Ace Academy: Dale Foote, Susan Henderson, Debra Walton

Arnold Mill ES: Lisa Dykes, Martha Fricks, Wanda Gilliam

Avery ES: Jane Nunnally, Rowena Robinson

Bascomb ES: Gretchen Wojcik, Robin Zacherl

Buffington ESC: Debra Davis, Debra Farist, Roberta Faucett, Barbara McAuley, Susan Ritchie, Kay Sherrill

Carmel ES: Deborah Dixon, Margaret Duke

Cherokee HS: Jamie Basso, Nelson Hernandez, Tammy Robillard, Dave Sullivan, Rebekah Welch

Clark Creek ES STEM Academy: Nancy Thompson

Clayton ES: Deborah Champion

Creekland MS: Deborah Gregory, David Heiser, Jan Rice

Creekview HS: Peggy Corbett, James Dennis, Shelia Thigpen

Dean Rusk MS: Katrina Haas, Teresa Kannawarf

Educational Programs: Patricia Kearns

E.T. Booth MS: Jill Berg, Donna Dochney, Martha Kenyon, Janice Roper, Gayle Vunak, Lena Washington

Etowah HS: Sharon Arp, Ralph Duncan, Veronica Lucking, Lynda Moulton, Andrea Payne, Pam Teems, Robert Walker

Freedom MS: Diantha Graves, Karen Phanco, Cathi Wagner

Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy: Judy Brandon, Debbie Velji

Hickory Flat ES: Nell Hess, Diana May

Holly Springs ES STEM Academy: Joyce Daniel

Indian Knoll ES: Billie Millhollan

Johnston ES: Betty Carlisle, Nicola Evans, Jacqueline Hawkins, David Keenum, Josephine Modica, Lori Rosa

Knox ES: Marie Koloch

Liberty ES: Sandra Godfrey, Deborah Morgan-Henderson

Little River ES: Beverly Early, Lynne Ross

Mill Creek MS: Linda Donnelly, Beverly McBrayer, Debra McCormick, Corliss Schwaller, Lori Tolar, Rochelle Trebucq

Mountain Road ES: Judith Bracknell, Terri Kelly, Susie Olliff, Nancy Smith

Oak Grove ES Fine Arts Academy: Jane Marchman

Polaris Evening School: Karen Thomas

River Ridge HS: Millard Kenyon

R.M. Moore ES: Annette Green, Karen Morgan

Sequoyah HS: Todd Morrissey, Richard Potts

Sixes ES: Susan Murphy, Judy Peck, Mary Werner, Susan Winchester

Teasley MS: Stephen Ransom

Tippens EC: Tony Lott

Transportation: Richard Biedenbach, Shelia Daugherty, Michael Edmonds, Helen Evenson, Sally Garrison, Lia Novinski, Brenda McTaggart, Kenneth Riordon, Marsha Williams

Woodstock ES: Sharon Fotinakes, Deborah Holder, Lorene Lee, Donna Rotruck

Woodstock HS: Matilde Arnold, Thomas Beatty, Rick Glasper, Jolene Grant, Daniel Page, Timothy Rutz