Oxford School Committee bids farewell to teachers, committee members

Text and Photo by Steev Riccardo

Oxford - The Oxford School Committee said goodbye to Five Oxford Teachers and three-fifths of its committee on Monday night at its regular meeting at Oxford High School.

“We have an historic night and we start by saying goodbye and thank you to a combined 163 years of teaching experience,” were the opening words school committee chairperson Brenda Ennis.

The five teachers who are retiring this year from the Oxford School district are Barbara Boulay, 35 years with the Oxford Middle School as an English Teacher; Jean Buell, 31 years with the Chaffee school as a Literary Teacher; Kathleen Casavant, 34 years with Oxford High School as an English Teacher; Dixie Lawrence, 29 years with Oxford High School as a Health Teacher; and Martha Spinney, 34 years at Oxford High School as a Math Teacher.

Ennis further acknowledged the departing teachers by saying, “It is truly this committee’s honor to have you here tonight. You will be greatly missed”.

Superintendent of Schools Allen Himmelberger also addressed the retiring group of teachers. “On behalf of Oxford public schools we are very fortunate to have had your expertise and competence all these years. You will be missed but never forgotten.”

The Committee also said goodbye to three of its members who are retiring.  Marc Anderson is leaving after 21 years; Laura Coonan, who served six years; and Stephen Anderson who was with the committee for the last year. All were attending their final meeting. Ennis said, “We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your hard work.”

Himmelberger also honored four Oxford High School students for being essay finalists in a state wide writing competition. Seniors Michelle Williams, Nicole Westerlind, Nicole Mangaudis, and Jenna Mandella all were present and acknowledged for their excellence in essay writing.

Mandella was also honorable mention for the Will McDonough award for her essay on the Oxford Girls Field Hockey team, of which she was a member.

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