Provo School District honors retiring employees, presents $2,000 checks

The Provo City School Board of Education recognized more than a dozen district employees who retired this year during its April 29 business meeting, and presented each retiree with a gift packet that included a $2,000 check.

Deputy Superintendent Jason Cox led the recognition, saying the district values long service and that the retirements mark “a part of our family.” “I get a little emotional about the service that they've provided to the students here in Provo City School District,” Cox said as the board watched a video honoring the retirees and then invited them to the front for individual acknowledgements. Board members and school leaders shook hands with each retiree and the district presented baskets assembled by Rebecca Rogers and her team.

Superintendent Wendy Dowell thanked the retirees for their long service to public education in Provo. “We very much appreciate those of you who have stuck with us for so long, stuck with public education so long and have retired from our school district,” she said. The board then moved on to business items; public comment was opened afterward, but no members of the public signed up to speak.

The individuals publicly recognized included Richard Bell, Kent Bills, Shauna Black, Joe Bunyatta, Cynthia Carter, Roy Davis, Cynthia Goodman, Stacy Holliday, Laurel Carlson, David Miller, Brian Amori, Jeannie Pratt, Shane Rowley, Laurie Sarkadeh, Connie Stone, Suraj Syal and Tracy Young. The board encouraged retirees and their families to stay for the remainder of the meeting but noted they were welcome to leave after the recognition.

The recognition program included a district-produced video and small gifts in addition to the $2,000 checks; district staff said the checks were included in each retiree’s packet and asked recipients to retain the card in the packet as it contains the check information.