Easton School Committee accepts four retirements from Richardson Olmstead staff

The Easton School Committee on Jan. 23 accepted the resignations and upcoming retirements of four Richardson Olmstead School educators, each of whom is scheduled to leave at the end of the 2024–25 school year.

The committee voted, by recorded roll calls, to accept letters of resignation from Alice Chase, Patricia Siegel, Meghan (Meg) St. Martin and Marybeth Harkins. The retirements were presented during the personnel portion of the meeting and were accompanied by letters read into the record describing each teacher’s path in the district and their years of service.

Dr. Cabral, the superintendent, introduced each letter and described the retirees as longtime employees who began in various support roles — substitute teacher, paraprofessional, volunteer — and advanced into classroom positions. “Each of these professionals worked toward advancement within the district,” Cabral said as she summarized the letters.

Colleagues, parents and committee members offered brief tributes during the meeting. One parent said that Mrs. Siegel had been “instrumental” in securing supports for a child and praised her enthusiasm; another speaker described Meg St. Martin as a “go-to” for technology and summer programming. Cabral and other committee members noted the district will feel the loss of experience when the four depart.

Motions to accept each retirement were made and seconded on the record. The committee recorded unanimous votes — DeLuca, Wiseman, Star, Loomis and Persio each voted “yes” on the motions accepting the retirements.

The committee did not take additional action regarding replacements at the meeting. Cabral and other administrators said the district will work through hiring and transition details in the months ahead.

Ending: The committee offered thanks and best wishes to Chase, Siegel, St. Martin and Harkins and recorded acceptance of their retirements ahead of the presenters’ final school year in June 2025.