School District of Washington

May 26, 2026

School District of Washington Staff Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony for School District of Washington staff was held Friday morning, May 22, in the CJB Theater at Washington High School.

The ceremony marked the end of the 2025-26 school year and celebrated accomplishments, presented service awards, technology recognition, recognized and thanked retirees, announced staff scholarships, and announced WINGS awards.

Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Kephart and Board of Education President Dr. Frank Wood addressed the staff. Kephart gave opening remarks, outlined district highlights, gave closing remarks, and said goodbye to staff as she’s leaving the district.

Brad Mitchell spoke on behalf of WINGS.

Announcing honors and service awards were SDOW Assistant Superintendents Dr. Rachael Franssen, John McColloch and Maranda Anderson.

Michelle Rice, administrative assistant at Four Rivers Career Center, was named SDOW and WINGS Support Staff Person of the Year. Marthasville Elementary counselor Robyn Busekrus was named SDOW and WINGS Teacher of the Year in April and was recognized.

Receiving the Dr. Jane and Doug Reed Scholarship for $3,000 apiece were South Point Elementary first-grade teacher Kim Johnson and Marthasville Elementary special education teacher Chelsey Moeckli.

Technology Leadership (Year 3) completers were Makenzie Ellis and Nathan Cabot.

Beginning Teacher Assistance Program Year 1 completers recognized were Riley Berens, Tricia Martin, Chelsey Moeckli, Stephanie Pecka, Ellie Quaethem, Trey Roettering, Alyssa Warnecke and Liz Watson.

Beginning Teacher Assistance Program Year 2 completers recognized were Angela Bee, Hanna Butherus, Katelyn Cassin, Jenna Faust, Jill Fennell, Cole Nahlik, Genevieve Nickelson, Payton Sansom and Emily Trentmann.

Retiring staff members recognized were Laura Bruckerhoff, Chris Redd, Lisa Kreamalmeyer, Derek Bailey, Tracy Straatmann, Barb Korte, Becky Zanin, Rob York, Karen Fixsal, Ann Bolzenius, Sandra Knickmeyer, Dwayne Briggs, Katie Sandoval, Tim Buschmann, Karrie Schmidt, Melissa Mauchenheimer, Diane Kottmann, Nancy Huber, Chris Gauzy, Lloyd Kassebaum, Janie Hamai, Lorna Griffen, Warren Branch, Rock Frick, Kate Musket, John Doepke, Carolyn Buhr, Brenda Roloff, Bruce Graham, Kenny Sullentrup, Nancy Carriker, Susan Snyder and Patrick Fogarty.

Honored for 30 years of service was Derek Bailey.

Honored for 25 years of service were Karen Graham, Amy Dewert, Lisa Kreamalmeyer, Chris Redd, Tina Hoeft, Michelle Quaethem, Amy Crow, Tim Buschmann and Paula Kopmann.

Honored for 20 years of service were David Dennis, Barbara Eckenfels, Leslie Edwards, Amanda Hoerstkamp, Nancy Huber, Diane Kottmann, Jennifer Kroeter, Mike Olszowka, Erin Simon, Jennifer Volkerding, Christine Kelley, Kathryn Fischer, Nikki Obermark, Heidi Lenger, Kurt Noelker and Lauren McElhaney.

Honored for 15 years of service were Jennifer Meyer, Jessica Petty, Tracy Helm, Stephanie Knight, Nicole Machelett, Crystal Pratt, Clint Schneider, Keli Schneider, Robert Schulze, Stefanie Virgen, Shawn Wallace, Joe Goodman, Jessica Monroig, Mandy Straatmann, Molly Hanify and Linda Jasper.

Honored for 10 years of service were Maggie Butler, Amy Engemann, Patrick Fogarty, Mary Glosemeyer, Jessie Katz, Melissa Kulp, Ashley Maize, Monica Nadler, Andrea Roemer, Susie Thierbach, Tim Zumsteg, Kim Pinnell, Morgan Strubberg, Glenna Girardier, Jeff Solter, Sarah Martin, Abbie Kipp, Kim Peterson and Tracy Allen.

A group of people pose for a photo, holding balloons and a plaque.

WINGS Support Staff of Year

Michelle Rice, Four Rivers Career Center administrative assistant, was named School District of Washington and WINGS Support Staff Person of the Year. Also pictured are members of WINGS.

Three women smile while holding envelopes, posing in front of a screen.

Dr. Jane and Doug Reed Scholarship

Receiving the Dr. Jane and Doug Reed Scholarship for $3,000 apiece were Marthasville Elementary special education teacher Chelsey Moeckli, left, and South Point Elementary first-grade teacher Kim Johnson, right. Also pictured is Dr. Jane Reed.

A large group of diverse people pose together on a stage, smiling at the camera.

Retiring Staff Members

Pictured are School District of Washington retiring staff members. Those recognized were Laura Bruckerhoff, Chris Redd, Lisa Kreamalmeyer, Derek Bailey, Tracy Straatmann, Barb Korte, Becky Zanin, Rob York, Karen Fixsal, Ann Bolzenius, Sandra Knickmeyer, Dwayne Briggs, Katie Sandoval, Tim Buschmann, Karrie Schmidt, Melissa Mauchenheimer, Diane Kottmann, Nancy Huber, Chris Gauzy, Lloyd Kassebaum, Janie Hamai, Lorna Griffen, Warren Branch, Rock Frick, Kate Musket, John Doepke, Carolyn Buhr, Brenda Roloff, Bruce Graham, Kenny Sullentrup, Nancy Carriker, Susan Snyder and Patrick Fogarty.

A man with glasses and a Callaway hat smiles at the camera.

Service Awards: 30 years

Honored for 30 years of service was Derek Bailey.

Six women stand together, smiling, on a stage with a dark background.

Service Awards: 25 Years

Honored for 25 years of service were Karen Graham, Amy Dewert, Lisa Kreamalmeyer, Chris Redd, Tina Hoeft, Michelle Quaethem, Amy Crow, Tim Buschmann and Paula Kopmann.

A group of women stand together on a stage, smiling at the camera.

Service Awards: 20 Years

A group of seven women stand together, smiling for a photo.

Service Awards: 15 Years

A group of diverse people stand together, smiling for a photo.

Service Awards: 10 Years