The Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education honored the district’s Class of 2026 retirees Monday night, recognizing 22 staff members whose combined careers represent more than four centuries of service to the district.
During the May 18 meeting, administrators, board members, family members and colleagues gathered to celebrate retiring employees from schools and departments across Hopewell Valley. The group collectively contributed 423 years of service in classrooms, student support programs, facilities, transportation, administration, and school operations.
“It is a profound honor to present the 2026 class of retirees,” Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Special Projects Tana Smith told the board. “They have been the backbone of our schools, defined by an unwavering work ethic, a deep sense of mission and a standard of professionalism that inspired everyone around them.”
Smith said the retirees spent their careers “uplifting our students, supporting our families, and strengthening our entire community.”
Each retiree received recognition during the ceremony, with district officials highlighting careers that in some cases spanned nearly three decades.
Among those honored was Assistant Superintendent for Finance Robert Colavita, who is retiring after 24 years with the district. During the meeting, New Jersey School Boards Association Field Service Representative Mary Ann Friedman praised Colavita while discussing the board’s self-evaluation process.
“I know they are going to miss you, Mr. Colavita,” Friedman said. “I will miss you as their BA.”
Friedman noted that Colavita plans to continue working with the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials to help train future school business administrators.
Board President Anita Williams Galiano called the annual retiree recognition “always so touching.”
“We’re really, really grateful to have had them with us as long as we have,” she said.
Several retirees were unable to attend the ceremony, with Smith joking that they were likely “in some beautiful location with a lot of sun and waves.”
The district’s Class of 2026 retirees included:
- Samuel Adom — Custodian, Stony Brook Elementary — 24 years
- Mark Amantia — Technology Trainer, Administration Building — 30 years
- Caroline Baker — Speech-Language Therapist, Stony Brook Elementary — 22 years
- Kimberly Black — Occupational Therapist, Hopewell Elementary — 14 years
- Lori Cavanaugh — Math Teacher, Central High School — 21 years
- Robert Colavita — Assistant Superintendent of Finance — 24 years
- Marie Del Grande — Secretary, Timberlane Middle School — 23 years
- Michelle Dungan — Special Education Teacher, Timberlane Middle School — 20 years
- Jeannie Finn — Teacher, Toll Gate Grammar School — 25 years
- Patty Jaczko — Secretary, Toll Gate Grammar School — 18 years
- Heidi Kahme — Student Program Coordinator — 5 years
- Tara Kiesling — Secretary, Administration Building — 12 years
- Darren Lewan — Supervisor, District Administration — 22 years
- Heidi Muentener — Van Attendant — 10 years
- Joyce Nagel — Teacher, Timberlane Middle School — 18 years
- Tom Quinn — Director of Facilities — 10 years
- Bill Russell — Teacher, Timberlane Middle School — 29 years
- Alicia Smith — Nurse, Toll Gate Grammar School — 25 years
- Sharon Tiziker — Teacher, Bear Tavern Elementary
- Tim Wolverton — Teacher, Central High School
- Neville Williams — Bus Driver – 11 years
- John Zalot — Teacher, Central High School – 24 years
The retiree recognition was part of a larger board meeting that also included budget and facilities discussions as the district prepares for the 2026-27 school year.
