During a celebratory dinner on June 4, the Ellenville Central School District (ECSD) honored this year’s tenure recipients and retirees, as well as support-related personnel who have earned permanent appointments. The event, which was held in the Ellenville Junior/Senior High School cafeteria, was hosted by ECSD Superintendent Lisa Wiles and Board of Education President Philip Mattracion.
Speaking to those who were retiring as well as those who had earned permanent employment, Wiles said, “The relationships you build with each other are strong, and they set the tone for our students, too. All of you are much appreciated!”
Wiles also expressed her appreciation for the members of the Board of Education, teaching and maintenance staff, the cafeteria staff who catered the event, the volunteers who helped organize the festivities, and family and friends who were there to celebrate.
The following teachers and administrators earned tenure during the 2023-2024 school year: Tracy Berry, School Counselor; Thomas Barton, Music Teacher; Noelia Santiago, English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher; Jonathan Villegas, Visual Arts Teacher; Jessica Mataraza, Special Education Director; and Courtney Vandermark, School Counselor.
The District also paid tribute to its retiring staff members, many of whom had been working in Ellenville for decades. Among those being honored were Lisa Dwyer, School Psychologist; Karen Guiney, Teaching Assistant; Bruce Distel, Security Attendant; Janine Colangelo, Elementary School Teacher; Melissa Costello, Elementary School Teacher; Angela Carlini, Spanish Teacher; Billie Spylios, Registered Nurse; Denise Younger, Cafeteria Monitor; Mary Chisholm, Cafeteria Monitor; Susan Stalter, Elementary Teacher; and Rebecca Burke, Special Education Teacher.
Employees who now have permanent appointments include: Jenice Dekan, Cafeteria Monitor; Roger Buchwalter, Security Attendant; Thomas VanLeuven, Security Attendant; Natalie Evans, Teacher Aide; Sophia Viera, Teacher Aide; Tiffany Fernandez, Teacher Aide; Kristen Feliciano, Registered Nurse; Camryn Hoar, Registered Nurse; Juan Cruz, Security Attendant; Daniella Sorbara, Teacher Aide, and Jayme Friedrich,Teacher Aide.