Retiring Rossford secretary, 73, has seen thousands graduate

High school office employee started work as a student in ’58

5/25/2014
BY CARL RYAN
BLADE STAFF WRITER
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    Alexis Waclawski, 16, left, and Caitlyn Schwiefert, 16, deliver an advance copy of the school newspaper to secretary Anita Shufritz, 73, in the Rossford High School office. She is retiring as school secretary after 56 years with the district and is featured in the student paper for her years of service.

    THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH
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  • Alexis Waclawski, 16, left, and Caitlyn Schwiefert, 16, deliver an advance copy of the school newspaper to secretary Anita Shufritz, 73, in the Rossford High School office. She is retiring as school secretary after 56 years with the district and is featured in the student paper for her years of service.
    Alexis Waclawski, 16, left, and Caitlyn Schwiefert, 16, deliver an advance copy of the school newspaper to secretary Anita Shufritz, 73, in the Rossford High School office. She is retiring as school secretary after 56 years with the district and is featured in the student paper for her years of service.

    This year’s group of pending retirees from the Rossford schools includes the longest-serving employee in the district’s history.

    Anita Shufritz, 73, began working in the high school’s main office in June, 1958, when she was still a student, and is there today as a secretary. She did a stint in the junior high from 1963 to 1972, before returning to the high school, and was a cheerleading coach and adviser.

    She calls herself a diehard Bulldog. “Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog,” she said. “I really liked my job. I’ve seen a lot of families. We’re a close-knit district.”

    Superintendent Dan Creps, a graduate of the Rossford schools, said he remembers Mrs. Shufritz from his student days. He and the school board recognized her and the other retirees leaving in June at last week’s board meeting.

    She has seen thousands graduate, Mr. Creps said.

    In 1985, Mrs. Shufritz was named district employee of the year. Then-high school principal James Ingham wrote in his nominating letter that Mrs. Shufritz “is interested in the kids and will go to all lengths to help out a student. She treats them as if they were her own.”

    Anita Shufritz is featured in the student newspaper. Students lined up during spirit week to each hand her a piece of candy. They also wore pink, her favorite color, one day.
    Anita Shufritz is featured in the student newspaper. Students lined up during spirit week to each hand her a piece of candy. They also wore pink, her favorite color, one day.

    He said she was generous in donating her personal time to the district and families as well.

    At its meeting, the board approved a new three-year contract with the district’s nonteaching personnel such as bus drivers, janitors, secretaries, and cafeteria and playground workers. Their hourly wages range from $14.84 to $25.41, according to district figures.

    The new agreement includes a wage freeze the first year and 1 percent raises in years two and three. The 99 workers covered by it will pay more in medical co-pays and their share of health-insurance premiums will be 13 percent the first year, 14 percent the second year, and 15 percent the third year. Under the old contract, their premium share was 12 percent.

    The contract will cost the district $47,787 over three years in higher salaries, but this will be partly offset by $19,500 in health insurance savings.

    The board last week also approved administrative contracts that include no pay increases for 2014-15. They are for high school principal Tony Brashear at $109,177, transportation director Jeff Culler at $69,628, food service supervisor Julie Kalisik at $41,220, junior high principal Lester Pierson at $112,475, technology director Sandy Smith at $80,369, Eagle Point Elementary principal Jeff Taylor at $98,036, buildings and grounds supervisor Ron Weaks at $72,398, and special services director Dawn Fahsholtz at $94,694.

    Contact Carl Ryan at: carlryan@theblade.com or 419-724-6095.