Chippewa Valley Retires 3 Faculty, Staff

Chippewa Valley Schools bid farewell to three longtime employees Monday night, with the retirement of Jacquelyn Robinson, Annet Jones and Jeanne Sears, all familiar faces at their respective schools.

A 22-year veteran of the district, Robinson is retiring from her post as office secretary at .

"There is no one more important to a principal and on whom we most rely than a secretary," said Christine Robershaw, Shawnee principal. "That is the person that's out front for us. Jackie takes an awful lot of things that never come to me because of what she does. The truth be told, she runs the school."

Robinson looks forward to spending her retirement with her husband, children and grandchildren.

"It has been a pleasure to work for the district, and thank you for the opportunity," Robinson said. "I'm looking forward to my retirement, but I'm going to miss everybody here very much so."

Another 22-year veteran, Jones is a familiar face at Algonquin Middle School where she works as a paraprofessional.

"You may not have known this, but today is National Oatmeal Muffin day ... Nobody at Algonquin would know this if it weren't for Annet Jones," said Walt Kozlowski, Algonquin principal. "Everyday she sends us an email with all kinds of fun facts and it's just one example of the many things Annet does for us that are not part of her job."

While Jones said she will miss Algonquin, which she calls the "hidden jewel of Chippewa Valley," Kozlowski said Algonquin will miss her more.

"She is a very calming, caring individual and that extends to all the students and staff," he said. "I've seen her connect with some of the most difficult students in the building and I think it's a great testimony to her that when our former students come to visit, almost all ask, 'Is Mrs. Jones still here?'"

Jones plans to spend her retirement with her husband.

The third retirement recognized by the school board Dec. 19 was that of 17-year teacher Jeanne Sears, who currently teaches third grade at .

Though Sears was not present at the meeting, Superintendent Ron Roberts said she would be dearly missed by district staff and administrators.

"You will not meet a harder working person," he said.