The tireless dedication of Newport-Mesa Unified School District’s (NMUSD) staff was celebrated on October 1 as 63 employees from throughout the district were honored at the 2024 Retiree Recognition Ceremony. 

“While your presence will be missed, your dedication to our students will resonate for years to come. Congratulations on your retirement, and thank you for your immeasurable impact on the lives of our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Wesley Smith. 

The retirees in attendance were recognized with short, moving remarks by their most recent supervisors. The superintendent, Board of Education President Carol Crane, Board Vice President Krista Weigand, and Board Trustee Ashley Anderson presented each one with a crystal iceberg memento inscribed with the district’s inspirational “starfish story” about making a difference, and guest passes to attend NMUSD high school athletic events at no cost. 

Maintenance & Operations Administrative Director Lance Bidnick honored Michael Do’s  22 years of grounds maintenance. “He is a hardworking man who always makes sure he provides for his family what they need,” he said.

Principal Alice Formaneck spoke of the positive impact School Community Facilitator Jamileth Paley made at College Park Elementary. Paley, who would memorably greet students with a high five while wearing an oversized Mickey Mouse glove, served the district for 18 years.

Principal Jake Haley said school attendance technician Leslie Rudolph “made the impossible look possible” during her five years at Corona del Mar High School. 

Costa Mesa High School (CMHS) graduate and retired math teacher Douglas Deats was honored by Principal Dipali Potnis for embodying the Mesa Spirit. In his 31 years with NMUSD, he also served as a coach for baseball, softball, and football teams.

Of recent retiree and award-winning choir director and educator Jon Lindfors, Potnis remarked, “He has a gift for seeing the best in students and allowing them to see the best in themselves. Among his accomplishments during Lindfors’ 38 years of service, he was named an Employee Excellence Award winner in 2024 and an OC Arts Educator of the Year by the Orange County Music and Arts Administrators (OCMAA) in 2000.

His wife, Michelle Lindfors, also a recent retiree, taught English at Costa Mesa for 39 years and was named Secondary Teacher of the Year 2000. “She always helped students achieve their highest potential,” Potnis said.

Retired biology teacher Paul Serio’s 40 years of service was also recognized by Potnis, who noted he is most missed by his colleagues at CMHS for the way he would “hold space for them when they needed a listening ear.”

Of retiree Marian Dickey, an English teacher of 34 years at Estancia High School and the first person he met there, Halt said, “She was the heart of Estancia. She knew the school, she knew its needs, and she knew how to make things happen.”

Special education teacher and sports coach Christopher Sorce was also among the first people Principal Michael Halt met at Estancia High School. “The work Chris did in the classroom and on the courts over 30 years is truly appreciated by students and staff,” said Halt. 

Killybrooke Elementary Principal Laura Taylor praised teacher Kristen Leysen’s 20 years of service and advocacy on behalf of students with special needs. “Each success was celebrated in various ways. Watching her teach is watching magic,” Taylor said.  

Donald Funk’s many achievements throughout the past 26 years — including recipient of the Irene Schoepfle Lifetime Achievement Award for Music from the OCMAA earlier this year — were celebrated by Newport Elementary Principal Amanda Estrada, who noted she will miss his heartfelt leadership. “I appreciate the way he made music accessible to all kids and allowed them to shine,” she said.

Newport Harbor High School (NHHS) Principal Sean Boulton praised special education instructional assistant Julie Ward for the affection she brought to her job of 28 years. “With all the needs that high school students have, Julie delivered. She brought it every day,” he said.

Tracy Scofield, a special education teacher, was once a NMUSD student herself. Principal Aaron Peralta commended her 30 years of service and spoke of the legacy of inclusion she created at Victoria Elementary.

Though teacher Dawn Marie Stevens retired after 35 years with the district, Wilson Elementary Principal Lorena Rubio noted that her presence continues to be felt on campus thanks to the tremendous impact she had.

Honored in absentia were:

• Kimberly Barone, teacher, Victoria Elementary, 28 years

• Denise Bauermeister, school office assistant, Kaiser Elementary, 25 years

• Kirk Bauermeister, principal, Back Bay High School, 26 years

• Sally Becenti, office assistant, Purchasing and Warehouse, 24.5 years

• John Brazelton, science teacher, NHHS, 29 years

• Rose Casler, teacher, Mariners Elementary, 10 years

• Victoria Clifford, support teacher, Rea Elementary, 18 years

• Ann Cope, special education instructional assistant, Adams Elementary, 11 years

• Alma Copenhefer, teacher, Killybrooke Elementary, 19 years

• Sally Ann Dasaro, special education instructional assistant, CMHS, 45 years

• Kathy Dugan, administrative  assistant, Kaiser Elementary, 21 years

• Esther Fernandez, human resources technician, Human Resources, 32 years

• Janine Frendo, special education instructional assistant, TeWinkle Middle School, 25 years

• Heidi Gralow, teacher, Wilson Elementary, 35 years

• Deborah Granger, assistant principal, Harbor View Elementary, 12 years

• Lee Griffin, teacher on special assignment, Lindbergh, 19 years

• Janet Hernandez, administrative assistant, Elementary Education, 19 years

• Karen Hernandez, bus driver, Transportation, 11 years

• Jeanette Kilbride, special education teacher, Estancia High School, 25 years

• George Knights, director, Data and Assessments, 14 years

• Todd Kolber, math teacher, NHHS, 25 years

• Kathryn Krolopp, teacher, Eastbluff Elementary, 25.5 years

• Everardo Laris, grounds maintenance worker, Maintenance & Operations, 23 years

• Lanh Le, custodian, Adans Elementary, 21 years

• Robert Lombard, manager, Maintenance & Operations, 16 years

• Jason Lynch, science teacher, NHHS, 23 years

• Kim Macaluso, teacher, California Elementary, 27 years

• Milton McCord, custodian, Woodland Elementary, 48 years

• Julie McCormick, Spanish teacher, Corona del Mar High School, 25 years

• Susan McVeigh, teacher, Sonora Elementary, 25 years

• Steven Missouri, systems engineer, Information Technology, 13 years

• Janet Pignuolo, teacher, Wilson Elementary, 28 years

• Teri Reynoso, instructional assistant - behavior intervention, Davis Magnet, 10 years

• Sandra Riedle, instructional assistant - behavior intervention, Mariners Elementary, 18 years

• Nelson Rojas, Spanish teacher, Ensign Intermediate, 26 years

• Patricia Sanchez, nutrition services assistant, TeWinkle Middle School, 32 years 

• Constance Schelin, office assistant, Corona del Mar High School, 10 years

• Deborah Slaybaugh, nutrition services assistant, Davis Magnet, 25 years

• Shannon Spining, teacher, Paularino Elementary, 25.5 years

• M. Keith Squyres, music teacher, Pomona Elementary, 24 years

• Kathleen Tangney, psychologist, Special Education, 19 years

• Cindy Tran, lead technology support technician, Information Technology, 25 years

• Pamela Urbaniec, teacher, Davis Magnet, 25 years

• Mary Vanek, job transition coach, Harper Assessment Center, 19 years

• Nancy Vogler, preschool teacher, Pomona Elementary, 17 years

• Romy Warzybok, health assistant, Health Services, 11 years

• Kevin Weed, accompanist, Corona del Mar High School, 36 years

• Patricia White, speech language pathologist, Estancia High School, 20 years

• Steven Zeidman, maintenance carpenter, Maintenance & Operations, 17 years

The retirees’ collective years of service reflect dedication, compassion, and a deep commitment to shaping the future. While their daily presence will be missed, the legacy they leave behind will continue to inspire students, staff, and the Newport-Mesa community.

For more photos from the 2024 Retirement Recognition celebration, visit the district photo repository.