CINDERELLA - The Mingo County school system is losing 39 employees through retirement as of this date and they were honored by the Mingo County Board of Education at its meeting June 2.

County School Superintendent Dwight D. Dials paid tribute to the group as plaques were presented to them for "outstanding performance and lasting contribution." for their years of service.

Dials said in these days it's tough to find replacements for retirees and said it is a bit unsettling to realize the necessity for finding replacements of their calibre. ~

"I want you to know we appreciate all you have done for our school system," Dials told the 11 retirees who were present to receive their certificates of appreciation.

Board members, including President Charles S. West, Vice President Jacqueline Branch, William D. Duty, Dr. J.W. Endicott and Michael Carter, stood with Dials to shake the hands of the retirees and personally thank them for jobs well done.

The retiring group includes the board treasurer, the curriculum director, two principals, more than 20 teachers, two librarians, a counselor, three custodians and a bus driver. Some of the years of service were over three decades.

The retirees, their positions, school and date of retirement are as follows:

Deborah Harris, director of curriculum, Mingo BOE, June 30, 2009; Edward Lovitch, treasurer, BOE, June 30,2009; John Hatfield, principal, Matewan Elementary, June 30,2009; Margaret Fletcher, principal of Burch Elementary, June 9,2009; Vivian Livingood, executive secretary to assistant superintendent.

Teachers: Myrtle Catron, Tug Valley High, June 30, 2008; Juanita Browning, Title I,Lenore K-8, Sept. 12, 2008; Jean Varney, Matewan High, Sept. 9, 2008; Diana Murphy, Lenore K-8, Oct. 31, 2008; Randa Baisden, Gilbert Elementary, June 10, 2009; Oretha Faye Davis, Gilbert Elementary, June 30, 2009.

Dixie Ingles, Gilbert High, June 10, 2009; Kay Jewell, Lenore, K-8, June 30, 2009; James T. Lawson, Lenore K-8, June 30, 2009; Terry Lawson, Lenore K·8., July 31, 2009; William Murphy, Matewan High, June 30, 2009; Karen White, Gilbert High, June 30, 2009; Deborah Bowen, Lenore K-8, June 9, 2009; Diane Fields, Gilbert Elementary, June 30,2009; Eva Lynn Kinder, Matewan Middle, June 30, 2009; Diana Chaffin, Lenore K-8, Jan. 1, 2009; Sue Chafin (Speech), Kermit K-8, Aug. 1,2009; Wanda Joplin, Matewan Middle, June 30, 2009; Drusilla Simpkins, Burch Elementary, June 30, 2009.

Deborah Young, Burch Elementary, June 30,2009; LaDonna Auvil, Gilbert High, March 23,2009; Bridget Call, Matewan High, June 9,2009; Sue Mahon, Matewan Elementary, June 9, 2009.

Other retirees: Martha Lovitch, librarian, Williamson High, June 9, 2009; James Snell, custodian, Matewan High, June 13, 2008; Christa Lester, librarian, Gilbert High, June 24, 2008; Pamela Slater, counselor, Tug Valley High, June 12,2008; Eloise White, bus driver, Mingo County schools, Aug. 19, 2008; Virginia Wright, cook, Tug Valley High, July 1, 2008; Mary Hall, aide, Matewan Elementary, Aug. 26, 2008; Elmer Bentley, custodian, Matewan Elementary, June 12,2009; Randall Maynard, custodian, Matewan High, Jan. 14,2009; Linda Diamond, literacy facilitator for Mingo BOE, June 30, 2009; Luther Adkins, Maintenance, retirement date not listed.