Centerville City Schools honor retirees, introduce new principal and special-education coordinator

Centerville City Board of Education members on May 27 recognized more than a dozen retiring employees and introduced two new administrators: Drew Montgomery as principal at Normandy Elementary and Tracy Swanson as the district’s elementary special-education coordinator.

The retiree recognitions covered staff across roles and grade levels, with board presentations noting decades of service. Jan Colson was honored for 20 years with the district; Marion Del Torre for 28 years with the district and 38 years in education; Sarah Farasa Snyder for 28 years; other retirees recognized included longtime teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers and building administrators. The board also recognized three retiring principals: Mindy Klein, Lisa (last name not specified in the transcript) and Rebecca O’Neil, each noted for multi‑decade careers in the district.

Superintendent and administrative speakers introduced Montgomery and Swanson and described their backgrounds. Montgomery was reported to have three years of recent administrative experience at Sardinia Elementary in the Eastern Local School District and prior classroom experience teaching fourth- and fifth-grade math and science; the superintendent said Montgomery met staff and toured Normandy earlier in May. Swanson was presented as having 29 years in education, experience in Title I and special-education settings, and prior roles that included district-level special-education and federal-programs leadership.

Board members and district staff emphasized the loss of institutional knowledge from retirements and the importance of smooth transitions. A board member said the district hopes to attract good candidates to fill open positions.

The honors segment was ceremonial; no formal personnel action or vote was taken during the recognition portion of the meeting. Several of the retirements and the new hires were later reflected in personnel schedules and superintendent recommendations included on the board consent items for approval.