2 longtime educators exit district

GENOA -- The Genoa Board of Education has approved the retirement and resignation of two longtime educators.

High school math teacher Bill Bundy announced he will end his 32-year career at the end of this school year.

"I've been blessed to have had the opportunity to be part of one of the finest schools in the area and to have worked with so many wonderful people over these many years," he wrote in a resignation letter. "The respect that I have always received from administrators, fellow teachers, and students has been very much appreciated."

Mr. Bundy's extracurricular activities at the district included quiz bowl team adviser, football team videographer, and basketball scoreboard operator.

A resignation was tendered by speech pathologist Patricia Hughes, who has been with the schools 18 years. In her letter to the board and superintendent, she cited personal reasons and the district's reduction in the days of speech therapy services for her decision.

"I have worked alongside many excellent and dedicated school professionals who have helped me grow and develop not only in speech pathology but in learning to service the diverse special needs of children as well," she wrote.

At its special meeting last week, the board hired school psychologist Jane Ranieri-Phillips under a three-year contract that will pay $44,556 the first year, $46,180 in year two, and $47,804 the final year, with no fringe benefits.

Ms. Ranieri-Phillips has worked in the district for more than 20 years as an employee of the Ottawa County Educational Service Center, which provided her under contract to the Genoa schools. Treasurer Bill Nye told the board that employing her directly will save the district about $40,000 a year.

The board also approved the hiring of Gue Yu to teach Chinese for one year.

The district is phasing out its Chinese language instruction at the high school in a cost-cutting move, and this one-year, $5,000 contract will enable students to complete the two-year program, Superintendent Dennis Mock said.

The board also hired Mallory Imbery as a high school math teacher at a salary of $32,927.

-- Carl Ryan