Retirements and new staff

We have been very busy with end of the year activities in school and at the district level. The legislature finally concluded their session and we have been working our way through preparation of the final budget.

We have several staff members retiring this year:

• David Aiken, 7-12 science teacher
• Karen Hagen, Instructional Paraprofessional
• Loretta Stowers, K-12 Principal
• Sue Bull-Pelfrey, School Psychologist

We wish them well in their retirement. It is well deserved. Mr. Aiken has been teaching science and math to students in Genesee for 29 years! Mrs. Pelfrey has been with the District for 20 years as has Mrs. Hagen. Mrs. Stowers has been with the District for eight years.

Along with retirements, comes the need to hire replacements. With Mr. Caldwell moving into the 7-12 Principal/AD position, we hired Kristen McMullin as his replacement. Ms. McMullin recently earned her master's degree in music education from the University of Idaho. She student taught at Genesee School several years ago. Originally from Rathdrum, Ms. McMullin brings continuity and new ideas to our well respected music program.

Casi Allington, a recent graduated of WSU, has been hired to teach 7-12 science. Ms. Allington student taught at Garfield-Palouse this spring. Originally from Wyoming and more recently from Spokane, Ms. Allington comes very highly recommended by her colleagues at Garfield-Palouse and her college supervisors.

We hope soon to fill the School Psychologist and instructional paraprofessional positions. We have been fortunate to have good pools of candidates to select from which can be difficult in science, music and school psychologists. We like to think that the positive reputation of the Genesee School and education-minded community helps us to attract the best and brightest to teach and work in Genesee.

Goodbye Dave, Sue, Loretta and Karen. Hello Kristen and Casi.