More than 100 of your closest friends and neighbors gathered to honor the Citizen and Business of the Year, enjoy live dancers, bid on silent auction items, and dine on enchiladas and fish tacos from the Ponderosa Restaurant.
To a standing ovation, Dolores School mavericks Karen Andrews and Sherri Maxwell were named Citizens of the Year for their dedication to educational greatness.
"Both of these courageous, smart and powerful women have been pillars of our schools for decades," said Superintendent Scott Cooper. "We are saddened they are in retirement transition. They leave a school in better shape than when they arrived."
'Mamma Bear' will be missed
Cooper praised Andrews' fiscally conservative budgeting and "rainy-day" reserve fund that helped to finish a major school expansion project. She has managed a nearly $9 million budget over the years.
"When you have all that money, it means the world to me that every penny is accounted for," she said. "I took my job really serious to make sure the teachers have money to buy stuff they needed."
At public meetings, external auditors often remarked how Andrews' books balanced to the penny. She has never taken a sick day.
"Karen has an amazing work ethic, dedication and love for children," Cooper said.
Her optimism and intelligence helped many citizens as she explained school finance. Her work schedule included rising at 3:30 a.m. to hit the treadmill and arrive at work by 5:30 a.m.
Andrews is leaving the district with a $2 million reserve. She was also fond of cleaning and gassing up district vehicles when needed.
Those who worked closest with Andrews said they'll miss her occasional songs and poetry, often read at board meetings and to outgoing staff.
"I love it when I can hear Karen's cheerful sing-songing throughout the district office," Cooper said.
"Mamma Bear" as she is known to students and staff, has moved on to retirement and looks forward to spending more time with her family.
"My goal has always been to be very open and honest, and to be a great steward of your tax dollars to pay for the best education," Andrews said. "I can't say enough about the Dolores community. It is because of you that this school is where it is today. I miss my job, but I'm also having a good time in retirement."
Maxwell an innovative educator
Sherri Maxwell's 28 years at Dolores Schools "is a superb legacy," Cooper said, and her last nine as leader of the elementary.
"This is such a shock. Thank you for the honor," Maxwell said. "This community has been wonderful to work in, play in and thrive in. It does 'take a village,' and all of you have been a great support for our schools and families."
Highlights of her career
Last year, Maxwell moved the sixth grade back into the elementary school from the middle school. Research shows that sixth-graders placed in middle school typically have more discipline problems and lower test scores than those who attend elementary schools.
Traditionally, sixth-graders have gone from having one classroom teacher in fifth grade to seven classes and seven different teachers in one day.
"Often, middle school is such a shock," Maxwell said. "This makes it more gradual and supportive."
Maxwell looks out for her students and took a hard stance against bullying. She and counselor Karen Finch organized an anti-bullying campaign. Fifth-graders created a theater piece called "Lace Up Against Bullying Day."
In the play, students stand up for a new student who is being bullied because he is wearing purple and orange shoe laces. In support of the new student the whole school decides to wear purple and orange shoe laces.
The Accelerated Reading Wall was a student favorite. As a reward for every student earning points, Maxwell entered a pie-eating contest as did teachers who got the most votes in a pig-decorating contest.
Maxwell focuses on engagement. In a traditional setting, a teacher asks a question, and the students raise their hands, but instead of calling on one student, Maxwell has all the students write their answer on a slate.
Reporter Shannon Livick contributed to this story.