By the start of the next school year, the Knoch School District will have lost five staff members to retirement, including three teachers, a school nurse and a custodian.

Together, the retiring personnel will take with them a combined 70 years of experience with the district, not including their years spent with other school districts.

√ Former fifth-grade teacher Michele Evans of Knoch Intermediate Elementary School is retiring after 25 years.

√ Former reading specialist Brenda Friel is retiring after five years at Knoch Primary School.

√ Former family consumer science teacher Roberta Stahlman is retiring after five years at Knoch High School.

√ Also retiring are custodian Barbara Thrower, who spent 16 years with the district, and Stephanie Haverstick, who spent 19 years as teacher’s aide and school nurse at Knoch Primary School.

All five retiring staff members were recognized with a special breakfast earlier this month.