Twenty-seven DUSD staff members head into retirement

Downey Unified School District classified staff were honored at a pinning ceremony in May.

DOWNEY – The closing of the 2024-25 school year marks the end of an era for many Downey Unified employees as the district says farewell to 27 staff members made up of both classified (non-teaching) and certificated (teaching) positions.

At the end of May, the Downey Unified Personnel Commission held a meeting honoring classified staff and retirees throughout the district. During this meeting, which is centered around their annual pinning ceremony, the following employees were recognized and congratulated for reaching this milestone of retirement:

Unsworth Elementary School – Maria Griffin
Ward Elementary School – Gloria Valdez
Doty Middle School – Kerri Forsythe
Griffiths Middle School – Rosalind Cook and Sharon Scott
Columbus High School – Kevin Hughley
Downey High School – Janet Minnig
Warren High School – Richere Malboeuf and Maria Romero
Downey Unified District Office – Dr. John A Garcia, Jr., (Superintendent), Wanda Iacovitti (Innovative Education Programs) and Edwin Morales (Operations)

The Downey Education Association (DEA) also honored 15 certificated staff members who are moving into retirement. Students and fellow staff members gave their best wishes on the last day of school as the following staff members said goodbye to their school campuses for the very last time:

Gauldin Elementary – Anne Wadman
Lewis Elementary – Judy Yee
Imperial Elementary – Christine Schroeder
Price Elementary – Cecilia Ramos
Unsworth Elementary – Dana Messore and Karen Smith
Elementary Education Teacher on Special Assignment – Carole Ozima
Doty Middle – Allyson Stella
Stauffer Middle – Elise Ragusa and Diana Vance
Sussman Middle – Teresa Medina
Downey High – Margaret Siryj
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program – Rebecca Piepho Su and Vickie Weldon
Downey Adult School – Cindy Grafton

In all, the employees recognized above represent exactly 656 total years of service to Downey Unified students.

“On behalf of the Board of Education, we want to thank each and every one of you for the years of dedicated service you’ve provided to our students,” stated Board President, Linda Saldaña. “Each of you has had a positive effect on the lives of countless children and you are the reason why Downey Unified is such an amazing district. We wish you nothing but the best in this amazing next adventure of life but know you will be missed.”