Kirby School District 140 announced on May 22 the retirement of several staff members who have served the district for many years. The district expressed gratitude to these individuals, highlighting their dedication and service to students and families.
The retirees include Nancy Allen (18 years), Kelly Cavarretta (10 years), Karen Crean (17 years), Carrie Drechny (34 years), Sandy Hutchinson (37 years), Diane Jacobs (18 years), Leonard Klingen (13 years), Mary Koblosky (6 years), Colleen Murrihy (28 years), Cynthia Muys (29 years), Joan Renken (21 years), Michael Szczasny (18 years), Michelle Szumigalski (21 years) and Mary Weber (17 years).
“Their contributions have enriched our school communities, and we are deeply grateful for their years of service and dedication to our students and families. Best of luck in your well-deserved retirement!” said the district in its announcement.
Kirby School District 140 serves grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, enrolling 3,606 students during the 2019-2020 school year. It is located in Tinley Park within Cook County, with schools including Christa McAuliffe School, Fernway Park Elementary School, Helen Keller Elementary School, John A. Bannes Elementary School, Millennium Elementary School, Prairie View Middle School, and Virgil I. Grissom Middle School represented in the district according to the Illinois State Board of Education.
The district employs a total of 258 teachers earning an average salary of $68,179 before pension contributions; approximately 90 percent are women while about ten percent are men. There were no teachers with more than ten absences in a school year according to the Illinois State Board of Education. Kirby District’s student population is comprised primarily of White students at nearly eighty percent; Black students make up just over three percent; Hispanic students eight percent; Asian students four percent.
In terms of spending per pupil, Kirby spent $20,628 per student in 2020 with total expenditures reaching $74 million as reported by the Illinois State Board of Education. Chronic truancy rates remain low compared to statewide averages: only eighteen chronically truant students were enrolled during the last reporting period—representing just half a percent versus nearly ten percent statewide.
As these long-serving staff members retire from Kirby School District 140 after decades devoted to education and community service, their absence will be felt across all schools within the district.
