Superintendent Tom Butler among those departing from district at the end of the school year

ATASCADERO — As the end of the school year came closer, the Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees took the opportunity to recognize and thank the group of teachers, administrators, and classified employees who are retiring at the end of the year during its Tuesday, May 20, meeting.

Sixteen people over 10 campuses and departments of AUSD were honored at the beginning of the meeting, with many introduced and praised by their respective principals or supervisors. Nine of those have been with the district for 25 years or more.

Board President Denise McGrew-Kane expressed the district’s gratitude toward the service of those leaving.

“To all our retirees, thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your service and the countless ways you’ve helped our district flourish,” she said. “You have left a legacy of compassion, excellence, and commitment. You will always be a part of the story of our district.”

Atascadero High School Principal Nikki Baca introduced five departing teachers during her time at the podium, including Peter Smith, who has been at AHS for 35 years.

“Peter is nothing short of a legend at Atascadero High School,” Baca said as Smith stood beside her at the podium. “He has worn many hats over the years, teaching everything from U.S. history to banking and financial services, running the Career Center, serving as vice principal, and supporting students in independent study. And through it all he has remained deeply committed to the success of every student who has crossed his path.”

Also honored were Bonnie Zebe of the Atascadero Choices in Education (ACE) alternative high school, and Kayleen West, a teacher at Monterey Road Elementary School. Both had, at 37 years each, the longest tenures of the group of retirees.

At the end of the presentation, Superintendent Tom Butler, who is leaving after 10 years in the position, and Stacey Phillips, who has been the executive assistant to the superintendent for 31 years presented each other.

“One of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, and that’s not an exaggeration,” Butler said of Phillips. “With her kindness and caring approach, she’s made the superintendent’s office a place that really aims to attain our core values of respect, integrity, teamwork, and excellence.”

Phillips returned the praise to Butler, on a couple of occasions calling him, maybe somewhat jokingly, “the man, the myth, the legend.”

“What a pleasure it has been for me to spend the last decade coming to work each day knowing I get to work with someone who loves what he does and puts kids first,” she said. “He’s a comfortable in the classrooms, in the kitchens, or on the grounds, or sitting on the floor reading a book to a first-grader as he is in the district boardroom making a presentation.”

The group of retirees honored at Tuesday’s meeting were: Atascadero High School teachers Robin Dery (31 years), Tess Harback (25), Peter Smith (35), Julie Steyer (13), and Andrew Wilkie (25); AHS secretary Laurie Kershner (11); Atascadero Middle School Administrative Secretary Kim Medina (3); A.C.E. High School teacher Bonnie Zebe (37); AUSD Cafeteria Lead Mimi Hysell (29); AUSD bus driver Linda Millan (23); Monterey Road Elementary teacher Kayleen West (37); San Gabriel Elementary Yard Supervisor Amy Aguilar (22); San Benito Elementary secretary Pam Blake (23); Santa Margarita Elementary Behavioral Support Specialist Alison Hansen (32); AUSD Human Resources clerical assistant Jerrie Dahlen (10); AUSD Exective Assistant to the Superintendent Stacey Phillips (31), and Superintendent Tom Butler (10).

In other business at Tuesday’s meeting:

In the continuing series of year-end presentations of AUSD campuses, AMS Principal Jeff Spiller told the board of the gains his school made. Spiller emphasized the progress made by students in the campus’s English Learner Program, stating as an example the students performances in the ELPAC exam. Spiller said 95% of the students in the program improved their test scores from the previous year, 23 “level up” to a higher tier (with three of those jumping two levels), and 21 achieving Level 4 status.

The board passed four resolutions, which Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Kendyl Darnell termed “routine annual items,” that allowed the district to request funds from the state, and be able to conduct internal transfers within the district.

Assistant Superintendent EJ Rossi announced that the School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSA), created by each campus addressing it needs and goals to work toward next school year, are out and available to view at the AUSD offices.

The AUSD board will meet next on Tuesday, June 3, with closed session starting at 6 p.m., and open session at 7 p.m.