Cathy Skiba Ten Oak Park Unified School District employees are retiring in June, the largest group to retire in one year since the district formed in 1978.

Most have been in education for more than 30 years and in Oak Park for more than 20 years.

“All have made positive contributions to building the reputation of the Oak Park Unified School District,” said Cliff Moore, the district’s superintendent for human resources who’s among the retirees. “A large chunk of the district’s institutional memory will be lost with the departure of these employees.”

This is the last of a three-year incentive plan. Five employees retired in 2008 and five in 2009. Some positions may not be filled, Moore said.

Retirees are: Oak Park High counselor Tess Wilkoff, English teacher Marolyn Stewart and special education teacher Paul Skiba; Oak Hills Elementary teacher Debra Wersh; Brookside Elementary teachers Karolyn Tassio and Donna Piazza; Red Oak Elementary teacher Faith David; director of pupil services/special education Cathy Skiba; program specialist/special education Barbara Semel Parkhurst; and Moore.

Tess Wilkoff Receptions will be held for the retirees. Check with the individual school site or the district office.

Two of the retirees reflected on their experiences.

Cathy Skiba

Cathy Skiba was hired as director of pupil services and district psychologist in 1978 for the 650 elementary and middle school students housed in portables on the soccer field behind the administration building. There was no high school.

“I loved the challenge and having the freedom to do what I wanted,” Skiba said.

As the district grew Skiba hired additional psychologists. There are now four serving the district.

Skiba, 60, has spent recent years working on legal cases filed against the district by parents of special education students.

“I would totally revamp the education system,” Skiba said. “There are too many things that take people away from working with kids—paperwork, procedure, litigation—that could be streamlined to afford people the rights they should have to advocate for their children.”

Skiba educates parents on navigating the special education process.

She believes in retaining students in the general student population rather than in special education classes. “We know they achieve more when they stay with peers,” Skiba said.

The challenge for special education is to find creative and effective ways to meet students’ needs despite funding issues, Skiba said

Interviews for Skiba’s position are under way. Her advice to her successor is to love children.

“Advocate for what’s best for students; be able to use your head and your heart, and never sacrifice one for the other,” said Skiba who also developed Pepperdine University’s special education training for teachers.

Skiba’s husband, Paul, is retiring as a special education teacher at Oak Park High. Their daughter Melissa is graduating from Oak Park, and older daughter Kristina is a teacher at Medea Creek Middle School.

Oak Park High teacher Kathy Bowman commended Skiba.

“Her hard work, dedication and heart have served the students, faculty and district well for many years,” Bowman said. “She has always given of herself with the highest level of integrity, working to fairly and consistently meet the needs of all.”

Tess Wilkoff

After 32 years in education, including 22 at Oak Park High, Tess Wilkoff is retiring from her counseling position while she is healthy and positive.

“I didn’t want to leave because I was worn out and cynical. I realize the finiteness of life now. I feel I’m leaving a very strong connection to what’s been created,” Wilkoff said.

Wilkoff has helped hundreds of students with class advisement, crisis counseling, college transitioning and conflict mediation.

Wilkoff created and runs the Peer Counseling Program, in which students mentor one another. When it was first established in 1988 there were eight students involved. There are now 46 advanced peer counselors and 73 beginning peer counselors who organize campuswide events.

Many of Wilkoff’s former students keep in touch. Erin Blakely, a 1996 graduate who lives in Petaluma, was a peer counselor.

“Her programs taught me not only how to manage difficulties and help others through them but also provided the space and time necessary to initiate and sustain meaningful friendships,” Blakely said of Wilkoff.

Wilkoff’s colleagues commend her.

“She views the world through a lens that is positive, insightful and keenly aware of each person’s individuality and special gifts,” said fellow counselor Debi Fries. “She has singlehandedly changed the trajectory of so many lives.”

Wilkoff said that support from students’ parents made a difference.

“It feels like the work that we do is appreciated,” Wilkoff said. “Even in really gloomy times I feel really optimistic because I see so much vibrancy and compassion and intelligence in so many students.”