NEWS RELEASE: SPAPSD Celebrates 901 Years of Dedication at 2025-26 Retirement Dinner

News Release

Stevens Point Area Public School District

1900 Polk Street

Stevens Point, WI 54481

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CONTACT:            Sarah O’Donnell, director of communications
                              715/343-6629 | sodonnel@pointschools.net 

May 15, 2026

SPAPSD Celebrates 901 Years of Dedication at 2025-26 Retirement Dinner

Stevens Point, Wis.—The Stevens Point Area Public School District honored 42 retirees on May 21 at an evening of recognition held at the Stevens Point Country Club. Hosted by Superintendent Dr. Cory Hirsbrunner and the School Board, the 2025–26 Retirement Dinner recognized a remarkable group of educators and staff whose careers collectively span 901 years of service to students and families in the Stevens Point area community.

“This celebration is both joyful and emotional,” said Superintendent Hirsbrunner. “We are grateful for your service and the legacy you leave behind, and though you are retiring, your impact will be felt for years to come.”

Each retiree was recognized individually by building and department leaders, presented with a special pen crafted by students at the Charles Fernandez Center and a lifetime Gold Pass for school sporting events

The 2025–26 SPAPSD retirees include:

Bannach Elementary School: Elizabeth Slowinski – 31 Years

Ben Franklin Junior High School: Beth Karr – 26 Years, Rebecca Radke – 18 Years, Cynthia Solinsky – 26 Years, Carmen Cherney – 27 Years, Chris Hintz – 30 Years

Boston School Forest: Kathleen Plaisance – 5 Years

Buildings & Grounds: Lawrence Huff – 25 Years, Mark Krutza – 33 Years, Todd Zinda – 40 Years

Charles Fernandez Center: Maribeth Steffen – 11 Years

Jefferson Elementary School: Rachelle Casey – 12 Years, Kimberly Whelan – 7 Years, Karen Kurtzweil – 9 Years, Carrie Ullman – 27 Years

Madison Elementary School: Karl Bancker – 23 Years, Teresa Aldrich – 19 Years

McDill Elementary School: Brenda Jones – 33 Years

McKinley Elementary School: Melissa Giles – 27 Years, Denise Gruber – 11 Years, Mai Yang Xiong – 30 Years

Plover-Whiting Elementary School: Karrie Fugina – 20 Years, Marcie Shulfer – 11 Years

Roosevelt Elementary School: Randall Shirek – 36 Years, Laura McKibben – 11 Years, Laurie Warner – 19 Years

Stevens Point Area Senior High School: Scott Anderson – 17 Years, Sheri Dobratz – 20 Years, Paul Cibaric – 31 Years, Richard Daniels – 25 Years, Steven Stransman – 28 Years, Cheryl Thompson – 9 Years

Technology: Alan Hintz – 35 Years

Transportation: Laura Deverell – 25 Years, Bernard Havlovick – 32 Years, Gery Clodowski – 8 Years, Janet Simkowski – 5 Years, Hilary Stencil – 18 Years

Gesell 4-Year-Old Kindergarten: Renee Brzezinski – 30 Years

Washington Elementary School: Allison Bancker – 32 Years, Ronelle Olds – 19 Years

We thank each retiree for their years of service, and wish them joy, health, and adventure in retirement. Once #PointProud, always #PointProud.

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CUTLINE: Together, the 2025–26 SPAPSD retirees represent 901 years of service to our students, schools and community. Retirees attending the 2025–26 Retirement Dinner are pictured following the annual recognition celebration held at the Stevens Point Country Club.
(Photo/Stevens Point Area Public School District)