A teacher affects eternity, he can never tell where his influence stops.     
                                                                Henry Adams

What office is there which involves more responsibility, which requires more qualifications, and which ought, therefore, to be more honorable than teaching?                                                   Harriet Martineau

Last night, the Board approved the retirement package for 160 of our teachers. From a fiscal point of view, it was in the District’s best interest to approve such a plan. As a result of the Board’s action, money will be saved over time and a number of layoffs will be rescinded. It is important for us all to remember, however, that we are losing a group of professionals who have devoted their lives to the young people of Chino Valley.

It is tempting to adopt an “out with the old, in with the new,” attitude when people retire. Let us not forget the incalculable hours that these teachers spent educating our students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers; equally important is the high standard of ethical and moral behavior they set, and the minds and hearts that were touched through their care and compassion.

It must be a bittersweet time for these teachers who will be leaving us in a few months. Although they know it is the right time to begin a new chapter in their lives, they must be experiencing some cognitive dissonance in leaving a profession in which they have left such a lasting impression on so many students.

On behalf of our District, I would like to thank you for your service and your years of commitment to our children. All of you will be sorely missed…