Montgomery Township Board of Education Honors Four Beloved Retirees for Decades of Service
Nicholas Mistretta
At its June 17th meeting, the Montgomery Township Board of Education took a moment to pause from policy and procedure to celebrate the legacy of four dedicated staff members who will retire at the end of the school year. Principals and colleagues shared heartfelt tributes, honoring each retiree’s years of service, impact on students, and lasting contributions to the district community.
The first recognition came from Lower Middle School Principal Lisa Romano, who praised school nurse Denise Salvatore for her 22 years of compassionate care. Romano referred to Salvatore as the “matriarch of the school,” a title earned through her tireless efforts. “On any given day, Denise sees between 60 to 70 students, even more during cold and flu season,” she shared. “She is the heart of LMS.”
Village Elementary School Principal Susan Lacy next celebrated music teacher Dr. Laura Bell, who retires after 21 years of teaching and inspiring students. “She has taught more than 7,000 students not just how to sing music, but how to express joy,” Lacy said, noting Bell’s leadership role in the VES morning news program. In her remarks, Dr. Bell expressed sincere gratitude for her time in the district. “I could never have a bad day at school,” she said. “I loved my job that much.”
Orchard Hill Principal Dan Van Hise honored the final two retirees. First was Rich Castor, a member of the maintenance and facilities department since 1999. “Rich’s work ethic is unmatched—his number one strength,” Van Hise said, acknowledging Castor’s time in the U.S. Army. “We thank him for his military service and for the dedication he’s shown to our school every day since.”
Van Hise then turned his attention to art teacher Donna Evans, who has spent the last 20 years nurturing young minds through creativity. “Donna deserves to be celebrated for her patient and nurturing approach to instruction,” he said. “She makes sure every student’s question gets the attention it deserves.”
Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com