Last week the Marlboro School Board and the Administration took a few moments to honor a number of employees who are retiring this month.

Mike Bakatsias, Assistant Superintendent for Technology and Personnel, said it is an honor to acknowledge these individuals.

Lynn Martinez is retiring from the Elementary School, having served as a Teaching Assistant for 25 years in all three buildings. Elementary School Principal Patricia Walsh described Martinez as, “such an ally for our students…and has an innate ability to get children to smile who are going through a struggle. It’s a little hard for me to say goodbye but I know that she is going to be visiting her children. Congratulations Lynn and thank you for everything always.” Martinez has also served as President of the para-professional union.

Walsh also spoke about Frank Taddeo’s 44 years of service to the district. She said she is not usually prone to showing emotion publicly but, “I am weepy a little bit.” She estimated that during his tenure Taddeo has taught approximately 1,000 students and at the 3rd grade level for nearly his entire career. He will, however, still be coaching as he has for many years.

“He has touched so many lives [and] I have people who are insistent that their child has to have Mr. Taddeo because they had him and are a better person for that experience,” Walsh said. “He is a role model, he’s a professional and is a joy each and every day. He said just two days ago that he still loves to come to work each and every day. Thank you Mr. Taddeo and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

School Psychologist Thomas Kulaga is retiring after 34 years of service to the district. Middle School Principal Debra Clinton described Kulaga as a, “key member of the Marlboro Middle School family. Tom, every day we count on you to bring a little lightness to the day during a difficult situation this year with covid. You are always so calming and so positive in working with the students. We can count on you to help take a difficult situation and make it a better place. We’re really going to miss you and sad to see you go but we are so much better for having known you and continuing on the traditions that you have taught us with your patience and your kindness in the way you work with students, faculty and staff.”

It was noted that Kulaga also taught graduate level courses as an adjunct professor at Marist College for many years. He also has served as President of the NYS School Psychologist Association and has given “countless” presentations at conferences across the state.

Robin Amer served 17 years as a School Library Specialist at the High School.

Bakatsias said, “We want to thank Robin as she partnered with students and teachers to provide them with media services; certainly over the years her passion in teaching valuable research skills in a variety of media modalities in books and in online resources. Each year she made sure the library resources were updated and working correctly. Students leave our schools with great research skills that they require to be both successful in college or in the workplace as they move on.”

Bakatsias said Amer also revived the school newspaper, The Dukes Declassified, “that helped young writers and editors improve their writing skills. For all those years of service, Robin we thank you so much. Congratulations.”

Bakatsias honored Patricia Bulson, who served for 19 years in the Food Service. She was unable to attend the board meeting but Bakatsias wished her well in retirement. He noted that the first faces seen by children in the morning, “are our bus drivers, our food service workers, our monitors that help move the kids through the building and each and every one of them matter a great deal. Ms. Bulson was very dedicated to her work, dedicated to the youths and the families that she served every day and certainly through this pandemic that service was really highlighted along with the staff. She was an excellent employee and she will be sorely missed. Pat, thank you so much.”

Superintendent Michael Brooks offered a few comments on these retirees.

“I know that I’ve been changed for the better and for good because of you. You’re fantastic people right down to every single one of you. I am proud to say that we were colleagues and proud to have gotten to know each other,” he said. “Now it’s time for you to spend your days on all those could have’s and would have’s. So have a wonderful retirement.”