Media Alert
For immediate release
Contact: Theresa Komitas
Phone: (630) 608-5031
E-mail: tkomitas@SD308.org
Oswego, Ill. (May 5, 2023) — Oswego Community Unit School District 308 and the Board of Education held their Employee Recognition and Retirement dinner on April 27, 2023 at White Eagle Golf Club. The district recognized 38 retirees as well as 23 individuals celebrating 25 years of service, two (2) individuals celebrating 30 years of service, two (2) individuals celebrating 35 years of service, and one (1) individual celebrating 40 years of service for a total combined of 1,451 years of dedication and service to the students of the district.
Among the individuals being honored as retirees this year is the District’s Superintendent Dr. John Sparlin. Sparlin has worked in the field of education for 30 years with 11 of those years spent at SD 308. He indicated, “Tonight is a very special night for many reasons.” He then shared how 23 years ago he attended a similar event for his father who retired after 38 years as a teacher and administrator in the public school system.
Other retirees being recognized at the evening's event have dedicated upwards to 35 years to the students, staff, and community members of Oswego Community Unit School District 308. Many of the retirees have plans to travel, spend time with their families and grandchildren, and a few even plan to continue their education.
Congratulations to the 2022-2023 Retirees:
Julie Brummel, Long Beach Elementary
Araceli Castillo, Southbury Elementary
Michelle Clark, Transportation Department
Jayne Colvin, Oswego High School
Dianna Costa, Boulder Hill Elementary
Tammi Craven, District Administration Center
Donna Cruger, Hunt Club Elementary
Mary Dwyer, Fox Chase Elementary
Anne Elwood, Thompson Junior High
Larry Freese, Maintenance Department
Jill Gardner, Murphy Junior High
Rene Garren, Traughber Junior High
Leigh Hatch, Plank Junior High
Julie Heinz, Hunt Club Elementary
Marina Hernandez, Lakewood Creek Elementary
Debora Herzog, Transportation Department
Enes Hettinger, Oswego East High School
Denise Hildebrand, District Administration Center
Brenda Hillesland, Grande Park Elementary
Tim Hofner, Transportation Department
Stephen Hutchings, Oswego East High School
Mark Johnson, Murphy Junior High
Roberta Long, Fox Chase Elementary
Donna Makowsky, Oswego High School
Jeanne Matthews, Hunt Club Elementary
Dorothy Mockenhaupt, Churchill Elementary
Erica Neville, Traughber Junior High
Bertha Quiroz, Long Beach Elementary
Jorge Quiroz, Boulder Hill Elementary
Mindy Renier, Traughber Junior High
Sharon Simon, Fox Chase Elementary
Lisa Snow, Oswego East High School
Dr. John Sparlin, District Administration Center
Paige Stratton, Fox Chase Elementary
Mary Theodor, Oswego High School
Julia Van Camp, Churchill Elementary
Laura Waibel, Oswego East High School
Randy Wood, Transportation Department
25 Years:
Angela Agne, Bednarcik Junior High
John Baker, Thompson Junior High
Janette Close, Oswego High School
Brian Cooney, Oswego High School
Dale Eschbach, Oswego High School
Brian Fauth, Old Post Elementary
Scott Freischlag, Oswego High School
John Harazin, Oswego High School
Michelle Jones, Wolf’s Crossing Elementary
Jennifer Kellogg, Traughber Junior High
Marc Kersting, Oswego High School
Deryl Leubner, Oswego East High School
Rebecca Meixensperger, Fox Chase Elementary
Molly Miller. Plank Junior High
Wendy Monn, Oswego High School
Andrew Mundsinger, Oswego High School
Jayne Pagoria, Churchill Elementary
Pamela Phelps, Oswego High School
Amy Rux, Oswego High School
Pamela Sackmann, Thompson Junior High
Katherine Theodor, Traughber Junior High
Stephanie Thomas, Old Post Elementary
Renee Welch, Bednarcik Junior High
30 Years:
Donna Thill, Plank Junior High
Lori Zielke, Lakewood Creek Elementary
35 Years:
Deborah Convey, Southbury Elementary
Deborah Smith Finance Department
40 Years:
Ellen Poplawski, Old Post Elementary
Faith Dahlquist, Associate Superintendent for Educational Services; Dr. Heather Kincaid, Assistant Superintendent of Student and Staff Services; Dr. John T. Petzke, Assistant Superintendent of Operations/CSBO; and Theresa Komitas, Director of Communications and Media Relations, all served as Masters of Ceremonies. After dinner, the retirees as well as the celebrants were all recognized and thanked for their time and dedication to the district.
The SD 308 Board President, LaTonya Simelton, thanked the celebrants for their years of service and the retirees on their career achievement. Simelton said, “You are seen, needed, and deeply appreciated.” Mrs. Simelton was joined by fellow board members: Eugene Gatewood, Vice President; Dominick Cirone, member; and Jarod Ploger, member, there to congratulate and share their gratitude to staff.
To view a video from the dinner, please click here.
