Retirees in the Oakdale Joint Unified School District will be honored with a reception on Monday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m., just prior to the 6:30 p.m. Board of Trustees regular meeting at the district’s Technology and Staff Development Center near Oakdale High School.

One administrator, three teachers, and four classified employees are retiring this year.

“It is always bittersweet when we have staff members retire,” said Terri Taylor, OJUSD Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, confirming that this is an about average size “graduating class” of retirees.

Each of the retirees, with exception of a couple who did not want to have special recognition, will have special words spoken about them at the reception, typically by their school’s principal, and OJUSD Director of Categorical Programs Kristi Rapinchuk will also speak. This year’s OJUSD retirees are listed below.

Barbara Shook, OJUSD Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, was hired by the district in January 2001 as the Coordinator of Pupil Services. She was promoted to her current position in 2003.

Lou Stringer was hired in 1975 to teach art classes at Oakdale High School. This year, he is the retiree with the most years in Oakdale schools. Kathy Treon was hired to teach kindergarten at Fair Oaks Elementary School in 1987. A few years later, she became a first grade teacher – a role she has held ever since. Vicki Stewart is a Resource Specialist at Fair Oaks Elementary School and was hired in 2008.

For the classified employees, Linda Morris was hired 1989 as a Resource Instructional Aide at Oakdale Junior High School. She then became a Special Day Class Instructional Aide for OJHS. Paula Rico was hired in 1992 as a Resource Instructional Aide at Fair Oaks Elementary School. She later transferred to Sierra View Elementary School. Kay Washburn was hired in 1992 as a Resource Instructional Aide at Magnolia Elementary School. She later transferred to Sierra View.

Susan Neubaum was hired in 2000 as an Instructional Aide at OJHS. She was later a Resource Instructional Aide at Oakdale High School. She then went into Computer Education Instruction at Fair Oaks and later transferred to Sierra View to be the Computer Education Instructor.

“Their dedication and experience will be sorely missed, but we are happy that they are able to retire and explore new opportunities or just enjoy doing ‘nothing’ whenever they feel like it. They have earned it,” Taylor added.