The Hartselle City School system is having 21 retirees leave school for the last time this summer along with their 254 graduating seniors.

Superintendent Dr. Vic Wilson said 21 is a higher number of retiring staff members than usual.

“Last year we had 16 retire, so this year’s 21 is a little more than normal,” Wilson said. “Together they had almost 600 years of experience. We hate to lose their knowledge, but we wish them the best of luck.”

Wilson said saying goodbye to these staff members will be bitter sweet.

“Each teacher and staff member brought their own unique perspective to our system,” Wilson said. “They will be missed, but we will do our best to hire new personnel with the same level of commitment and dedication to the job that these retirees have shown.”

Every school will be affected by retirement next school year, with at least one person retiring from each school. There will also be four personnel retiring from the central office by the end of the summer, which will restructure the central office administration.

Wilson wanted to thank all of the retiring teachers, administrators and staff members for their hard work.

“Thanks for the job you’ve done at HCS throughout your entire careers of 20, 30, 35-plus years,” Wilson said. “You have all been a part of the success that our system sees, and we wish every one of you the best of luck in your retirement. We hope that you will stay part of the HCS family.”

Retirees from Barkley Bridge Elementary include Ed Land (26 years) and Beverly Spurlin (25 years).

Retirees from F.E. Burleson Elementary include Sherry Calvert (25 years), Betty Lawrence (11 years) and Sally Woodall (36 years).

Retirees from Crestline Elementary include Julie Hall (38 years), Allyson Land (33 years), Betsy Self (25 years), Lisa Wilcutt (26 years) and Brenda Yocum (29 years). Retirees from Hartselle Intermediate School include Diane Shelton (38 years), Theresa Thrasher (25 years) and Michelle Reburn (26 years).

Retirees from Hartselle Junior High School include Sabrina Buettner (39 years), Brenda Livingston (25 years) and Vicki Sharp (31 years).

Hartselle High School’s lone retiree is Beth Fuller (25 ½ years).

Retirees from the central office include Wilsolene Cadman (37 years), David Hobbs (11 years), Nancy Horton (41 years) and Gene Lee (15 years).

Wilson said he wished he could have worked with these members of HCS for longer before they retired.

“I was only able to be with these wonderful people for two years, so it would have been nice to get to spend more time with them, but we understand that they have worked hard and are ready for retirement,” Wilson said. “We’re going to miss their wisdom. They really left a legacy here.”