Parting a sweet sorrow

A trio of retiring personnel from Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2) bid farewell through tears during the June 17 meeting of the CCSD2 Board of Trustees at the Central Office in Saratoga. Carrie Craig, Deb Riker and Cheryl Munroe were all presented with personalized gifts along with complimentary statements from CCSD2 Superintendent Jim Copeland. Carol Blake, who also retired this year, was on the agenda as well, but was unable to attend.

"We wanted to recognize a couple of our retiring folks," said Copeland. "In fact, we have four listed. Carol Blake was not able to be here tonight. Cheryl Munroe thought she might make it, but she had quite a busy day so she wasn't sure. If she comes in, we'll certainly recognize her, but two of them did make it and they're the two that have worked here at the central office. So, I would like to recognize them at this time."

Craig, who has worked for the school district for 40 years, was the first one to be recognized by Copeland.

"I know, from the five years I've been here, that she's given a lot of years of work to the district and we will definitely miss her being here with us and she creates lots of fun and laughter, which we will definitely miss," Copeland said.

Following Copeland's comments, Riker stood to share her experience with Craig during their time working together, adding that Craig's longevity not only spoke highly of her, but also of the school district.

"There's a lot I appreciate about Carrie. One is her unsurpassed wit. It's just there and there are many a day where she just really makes me laugh," said Riker. "The thing I appreciate about Carrie the most is she always made me focus on the right things. One of the things I'd always do when I'd leave, when I'd go to test a kid, she'd always say 'Bring me back a story' and sometimes they were a little sad and we'd cry together and sometimes they were pretty amusing and we'd laugh together, but I appreciate that, when I left, she always reminded what it's all about."

Following Craig's recognition, Riker was next.

"I'm very thankful that, in my career, that I was able to share the five years that I have with Deb. I've said this before, but I've worked, over my career of 40 some-odd years, with many staff members and there's not been one that I've appreciated more than Deb in her role. It's not just a colleague, but as a friend," said Copeland.

"The superintendent then explained that, during his interview process, it was Riker who had driven him around the district. At that time, a snowstorm blanketed the area and Riker explained to then-candidate Copeland what was beyond the snow and clouds.

"I didn't quite know the level of friendship that would develop at that time, but we have. We've become great friends and I will definitely miss Deb and being able to go sit in there and vent about things and listen to her advice," Copeland said. "Just as she said about Carrie, I will say this about Deb; superintendents came at things from different perspectives. We're looking at budgets, we're looking at PR, we're looking at community ... all kinds of things that we should be looking at, but the one thing Deb always did is kept the focus back where it should be; on what's best for kids."

"It's been an amazing 35 years," said Riker. "I'm one of those very lucky people that pick a career they love then stick with it. If you would have told me 35 years ago I'd end up living in Encampment, Wyoming working for Carbon 2 that's not what I would have thought at all. I started out of Casper, but definitely the roads have led me where I needed to be and I've appreciated that."

Following Riker was Munroe, who informed the board that she was late due to having to chase cattle out of an alfalfa field.

"Cheryl is another one of those individuals that I will not forget," said Copeland. "I've worked with hundreds of people in my career over three states and in numerous districts. Cheryl, again, the overriding theme of some of these folks that are retiring is their dedication to kids and advocates for kids and she has been for her kids and her program. I've never had to worry about her asking for more than she thought she was going to get sometimes. I never minded that. I want somebody, like Cheryl, to be the advocate for their program and she definitely is."

Once the three were recognized, the meeting was recessed for approximately 10 minutes as board members and staff members ate cake and conversed.