Galloway schools celebrate student winners and staff milestones; long-serving teacher retires after 55 years

The Galloway Township Public School District opened its June 9 board meeting with presentations celebrating student and staff accomplishments across the district, followed later by a personnel motion approving the retirement of a long-serving teacher.

Superintendent Santilli and school leaders presented a series of recognitions: a 25th-anniversary highlight for Galloway Township Middle School (GTMS); historical background on Arthur Wren Elementary School; a staff member's newly published children's book; winners in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) ticket design contest; student artwork displayed on a local billboard; the GTMS step team and track-and-field and baseball and softball teams who had championship seasons.

Nut graf: The presentations combined community history, arts and athletics to highlight student achievement and district engagement, and they preceded routine board business and personnel actions.

Presenters and awardees named during the program included GTMS Principal Mrs. Junker; Jeremiah Peyton, who narrated Arthur Wren history; art teacher Mr. Colangelo; GTMS step team adviser Monica Lucas; track coaches Miss Russell and Miss Trubishin; and student awardees such as Isaac Schwanger and Milana Ravenco (LPGA contest) and billboard artist Alden Wynne. Superintendent Santilli recognized the Galloway Township Education Foundation's role in district events.

Several athletic teams received public recognition: the GTMS boys baseball team and softball team were both identified as champions this spring; coaches and players were called forward to be recognized by the board. Track-and-field athletes and relay teams were announced and presented gifts to the superintendent.

A staff member who has published a children's book described her motivation for writing to help students with self-regulation and resilience; copies will be placed in elementary school libraries, the superintendent said. The LPGA contest winners received prizes supplied by contest partners ShopRite and Acer, and the district named the students whose designs were selected for event tickets.

In personnel business, the board acknowledged and approved the retirement of Carol DeRuyter, a GTMS teacher with 55 years of service to the district. The board's motion to approve the retirement (item 8.1) was made and carried by roll call, with board members voting yes and expressing regret and thanks during the roll call.

Ending: District leaders closed the presentation portion of the meeting and moved into public comment and other business; the evening concluded with an executive session for a superintendent evaluation.