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IUSD honors 65 retirees for combined decades of service
Summary
The Irvine Unified School District board held a formal recognition of retiring staff across certificated, classified and administrative roles, reading tributes for dozens of named retirees and thanking them for decades of service.
The Irvine Unified School District board opened its May meeting with a public recognition of the district's 2026 retirees, honoring 65 staff members whose combined years of service the superintendent characterized as "1,471 years of service" to students and the community.
Board members, the superintendent and the Irvine Teachers Association president read short prepared tributes for many retirees by name and invited each to step forward for a photo and handshake. Speakers highlighted roles across the district, including classroom teachers, librarians, nurses, special-education assistants, principals and district-level staff.
Named retirees whose remarks or tributes were read included Hope Benzie, Jocelyn Blasdell, Tammy Brown, Melissa Browning, Bob Curley, Najah Darmenio, Anu Giridya, Juanita Godinez, John Kessler, Jill Kormos, Hilda Raymond, Linda Roth, Nora Seager, Beth Vance and Fernando Zuberi, among others. Speakers emphasized the retirees' contributions to student learning, leadership of programs such as music and STEM, and plans for retirement.
Trustees and student board members offered personal thanks and best wishes. The board said the recognition underscores the district's investment in educators and staff and the importance of honoring long-term service.
