VINTON–Aside from Dr. Richard Turner who is retiring from his position as principal at William Byrd High School, several other faculty and staff members are also retiring from Vinton area schools.
WBHS is also losing Pam Garrison and Vickie Carroll. Garrison has worked for Roanoke County Schools for 19 years. She was hired in the county as a Student Assistant Counselor for Cave Spring High School. Two years later she became the School Social Worker for the six Vinton area schools. She also has served as the liaison for Home Instruction families. She began her career in education in Roanoke City as a prevention specialist.
Carroll has been with Roanoke County Schools for 29 years. She started out as an administrative assistant in payroll, then transferred to the personnel office, and has spent the last 17 years at William Byrd High School where she is the Guidance Administrative Assistant.
Three faculty members are retiring from William Byrd Middle School—Andrea Bartley, Catherine Case, and Sandi Reeves. Bartley is an English 8 teacher with 24 years experience. Case is an English 6 teacher with 26 years experience. Reeves is an Instructional Technology Resource Teacher (ITRT) with 33 years of experience.
“All three teachers are master teachers who have made a difference for many students,” said WBMS principal Tammy Newcomb. “They will be hard to replace and surely missed.”
Ed Bishop, the Building Manager for W.E. Cundiff is retiring. Before coming to Roanoke County Schools he held an interesting position working as an investigator for workman’s compensation claims involving life, death, and loss.
“He has been an insightful and observant building manager,” said WEC Principal Sherry Bryant.
According to Mount Pleasant Elementary School Principal Ellen Walton, one of their Building Operators, Deborah James, will be retiring after 14 years at Mount Pleasant and 20 years in the Roanoke County system.
“Deborah worked to provide a clean, safe learning environment for our students,” said Walton.
Two Bonsack Elementary School teachers are retiring: Karen Ratcliff and Joyce Francisco. Ratcliff teaches fifth grade. She has been teaching for 13 years and worked as an Instructional Assistant for six years before that.
Francisco teaches first grade at Bonsack. She has been a teacher for 35 years with 16 of those in the Roanoke County school system.
“We have many wonderful people retiring from the Roanoke County School systems each year and this year is no exception,” said School Board Vice Chairman Tim Greenway. “These educators, support staff and community members are a part of ‘The Village’ we will miss so dearly. It can’t be stated strongly enough what these people mean to our community. I truly feel there is no higher calling of service than to be a teacher or the support group that assist with this endeavor.”
All of the retirees were honored at a retirement banquet with the School Board on May 19.
