Principals had a chance to thank their teachers and staff members following a catered dinner at the Turner Lake Complex.
"Thank you for all you've done for our boys and girls," said Live Oak Elementary School Principal Erika Anderson to her retirees. "We are better for having had you in our lives."
"I don't know what it says about me that in my first year as principal my entire pre-K department is retiring," Middle Ridge Elementary's Principal Alan Satterfield jokingly told the audience.
And Porterdale Elementary School Principal Lizzella Dodson informed everyone that "things are better in the ‘Dale."
Although Newton High School had only one retiree present while other schools were faced with the loss of several, Principal Dr. Roderick Sams said he was still in denial.
"I refuse to believe it," he said, adding that his retiree had been "a confidant, a supporter, an encourager and an honest advocate for kids and those who serve at Newton High School."
Deputy Superintendent for Operations Dr. Dennis Carpenter, spoke about Director of Maintenance Bill Rosser, calling him "the man" to which someone in the crowd shouting “amen!”
Newton County School Board Chairman Cathy Dobbs spoke about Superintendent Dr. Steve Whatley, saying that she had decided to speak about him as a person, rather then pontificate on his years of experience.
“I know that he works tirelessly and truly cares for every employee and every child in our system,” she said. “He is our history. He carries with him the history of our system... We're going to miss you,” she said. “Because above all, I know that you are my friend.”
“We wouldn't be here if we didn't care for the kids and their futures,” said Whatley to the audience. “It doesn't matter the job you're paid for. We all care that we perform the very best for our kids and that's important.”
The following is a list of the retirees, the school they are retiring from and their years of service:
Jane Barber, Mansfield Elementary, 40 years
Shelly Barber, Veterans Memorial Middle, 31 years
Dr. Paulette Bragg, Director of Special Education, 32 years
Gail A. Brown, Live Oak Elementary, 32 years
Serita Capes, Transportation Department, 20 years
Anita Cochran, Ficquett Elementary, 35 years
Johnny L. Cooper, Eastside High, 11 years
Nadine Cooper, Ficquett Elementary, 28 years
Lucinda Corless, Heard-Mixon Elementary, 24 years
Dorothy Cronan, Transportation Department, 18 years
Catherine Cunningham, Eastside High, 30 years
Janie Davis, Transportation Department, 12 years
Donald Dean, Transportation Department, 10 years
Virginia Debrosse, Veterans Memorial Middle, 27 years
Joyce Dickey, Oak Hill Elementary, 27 years
Virginia Dodgen, Mansfield Elementary, 15 years
David Easterday, Alcovy High, 33 years
Anita Fordham, Cousins Middle, 23 years
Lillie Fuse, Sharp Learning Center, 27 years
Gene Gaillard, Newton High, 33 years
Suzette German, Palmer-Stone Elementary, 29 years
Beverly Griffin, Palmer-Stone Elementary, 30 years
Leopoldo Guerrero, Transportation Department, 11 years
Phyllis Hackett, School Nutrition Department, 38 years
Claudia Hall, Porterdale Elementary, 25 years
Judith Hardy, Live Oak Elementary, 21 years
Nellie Hardy, Transportation Department, 13 years
Stephanie Hart, Director of Pre-Kindergarten, 31 years
Betty Hawkins, East Newton Elementary, 26 years
Edward Hinely, Eastside High, 31 years
Regina Kendall, Palmer-Stone Elementary, 38 years
Teresa Kennon, Veterans Memorial Middle, 35 years
Anne Kilcline, Live Oak Elementary, 15 years
Tomi Kiser, South Salem Elementary, 31 years
Donna Lee, Special Education Department, 23 years
Cynthia Loveland, Livingston Elementary, 31 years
Barbara Mallard, Live Oak Elementary, 20 years
Veda McManus, Rocky Plains Elementary, 22 years
Jose G. Mendoza, West Newton Elementary, 11 years
Louise Miller, Mansfield Elementary, 18 years
June Moore, Ficquett Elementary, 30 years
Nina Printup, Veterans Memorial Middle, 10 years
Marcia Queen, Middle Ridge Elementary, 27 years
Lee Richardson, Ficquett Elementary, 26 years
Bill Rosser, Director of Maintenance, 34 years
Helene Scott, Heard-Mixon Elementary, 27 years
Johnny L. Smith, Live Oak Elementary, 11 years
Mary Anne Smith, East Newton Elementary, 30 years
Marcia Snow, Middle Ridge Elementary, 12 years
Rita Stephens, Eastside High, 10 years
Dr. Steven Whatley, Newton County School Superintendent, 37 years
Anita Wildman, Cousins Middle, 32 years
Miriam Wilkins, Ficquett Elementary, 36 years
Dean Willard, Alcovy High, 23 years
Carol Williams, Ficquett Elementary, 25 years
Marian Wingfield, Middle Ridge Elementary, 16 years
Deborah Woodruff, Rocky Plains Elementary, 22 years
