On March 9, Bill Orendroff, member of the Sallisaw School Board of Education swore in LeeAnn Whitekiller for a five-year term on the board.
Courtney Coble • TIMES
Staff Writer
“I will always be a supporter of Sallisaw Public Schools, a proud Black Diamond. Wow what a privilege it has been!” are the words said in the retirement letter Deborah “Debbie” Phillips submitted to the Sallisaw School Board on March 6.
Phillips who was in education for the majority of her life, served over 20 years with the Sallisaw School system and has a total of 37 years dedicated to education.
When the board discussed the retirement of Phillips the members expressed disappointment with having to take action and vote on the subject.
“What happens if we don’t approve it?” Bill Orendorff, Sallisaw School board member, asked. Phillips retirement was reluctantly accepted during the school board meeting held on March 9.
Phillips wrote, “Each day spent in the Sallisaw District has been a day spent expanding positively in mind, body and spirit. I have been privileged to love every position in which I have had the honor of serving. “There are many teachers and staff that have made a difference in my life, who work virtually from instinct, who work from the heart, who cannot help but teach wherever they go, because they have the heart of a teacher and can do no less,” Phillips said in her retirement letter to Wyrick.
“Phillips retirement will go into effect on June 30, 2009,” Ron Wyrick, Sallisaw School superintendent, said. “It’s been a joy, she is a wonderful employee for the district. She is very dedicated to education and she will be missed.”
In other business, LeeAnn Whitekiller took an oath of office after being elected to a five-year term on the Sallisaw School Board of Education.
Wyrick also spoke about the certificate from the State School Superintendent Sandy Garrett recognizing all Sallisaw Public Schools teachers as being highly qualified teachers.
