Wappingers Central School District honors 47 retiring employees

WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. — The Wappingers Central School District held a retiree recognition ceremony honoring 47 employees and thanking staff and students who helped organize the event.

Superintendent Dwight Bond addressed attendees and thanked the retirees for their service to students, staff and the district. "You have not only rose into the challenge, you have exceeded that challenge," Bond said, adding that he hopes retirees will consider occasional return work: "If I call you, you'll pick up the phone."

Executive Director Harris opened the program and noted the district is celebrating "47 retirees with an astonishing combined total of over a thousand years of service." District staff highlighted individuals who organized the ceremony, including district clerk Alberta Pedro and Senior Typist Preziosa Piscopo in Human Resources, and personnel associates Susan Wagner, Brianna Crane and Jennifer Horan.

The district presented each retiree with a wooden plaque made by high school and junior high students; the plaques include the district logo and the retiree's name. The technology department and teachers Jeff Butler and Joshua Conklin were credited with coordinating student work on the plaques. Attendees were invited to a reception with cake and refreshments after the ceremony.

Remarks throughout the program emphasized gratitude for decades of service and the role of staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony concluded with district leaders inviting retirees and guests to the post-event reception.