Somerset — As the new school semester got underway this week, one key leader of the Pulaski County School System team did not return to her usual surroundings at central office.
Instead, Marlene Haney, who has served as assistant superintendent of curriculum since 1997, will be beginning her retirement after 38 years in education.
“(My career) seems to have gone really quickly and it’s amazing how quickly the years have flown by,” said Haney.
“I’ve never gone to work a day and dreaded my job,” she added.
While Haney may have not always envisioned herself retiring in the middle of a school year, circumstances such as her husband being elected as state Farm Bureau president helped her decide it was the right time.
“Mark went in as president of Kentucky Farm Bureau and this gives me the opportunity to travel with him,” said Haney, “and I wanted to travel with him.”
Haney began in education in 1970 when she was hired by the Pulaski County School as a teacher, then in 1975 she became supervisor of adult education in ten counties and with this position her employer was the Somerset School District. Then in 1993 Haney came back to the Pulaski County School System as assistant principal of Pulaski Elementary, then becoming principal of the largest elementary in the school district the next year, where she stayed for three years before being hired as assistant superintendent of curriculum in 1997 by former Superintendent Bert Minton.
Haney was the first assistant superintendent of curriculum in the history of the Pulaski County School System.
“The achievement we’ve made throughout the district including our advancement in the gifted program and our achievements measured by the KCCTC test is what I’m most proud of,” said Haney. “We’ve made improvement from the first year I was here to the present.”
Haney said though she is looking forward to retirement there are many things she enjoyed about being in the position and will miss.
“I’ve enjoyed the day-to-day operations of the job,” said Haney.
Haney said she enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many different people, as she tried to be in the schools every week or as much as possible since that was one of the best parts for her, as well as working with the curriculum team that has been built. She also said she relished seeing children in the school system excel and have accomplishments that will affect them the rest of their life.
Superintendent Tim Eaton said Haney has effectively led the curriculum charge, as well as placing some very strong people to work in the area of curriculum and instruction.
“Our district test scores have improved drastically under her leadership in the curriculum depart-ment,” said Eaton.
Eaton said from his standpoint, Haney has been very loyal to the district with students always first in her plans and the programs being about the children.
“...We will really miss the services of Mrs. Haney and really wish her well in the future endeavors of her retirement,” added Eaton. “She’s been a real team player.”
Haney said though she believes it has been a total team effort, as well as having a wonderful board and administration to work with that has moved the district forward.
“I will miss the job, the day-to-day operations, the people I work with and the relationships that were built,” said Haney.
Eaton said he is not planning to fill Haney’s position immediately.
“With the budget shortfalls we’re being cautious right now,” said Eaton. “Some of the other supervisors and myself will pick up her duties for the coming semester.”
The leader of the school system said they will look at the possibility of filling the position at the second semester of the school year.
Meanwhile, Food Service Director Lucille Hudson who has been with the Pulaski County School System since 1975 and played a role which affected all of the schools, also retired at the end of 2008.
Hudson explained she is proud of the opportunity she has had in helping the students throughout the school system have a good nutritious meal, while they are at school and has taken pride in making sure that happens.
“Many of our children come from homes where they are not fortunate enough to have the proper food for a balanced diet,” she added. “I like to be able to provide the fresh fruits and vegetables and the foods needed to keep them healthy ... There is never a reason for a child to go hungry in our schools.”
Hudson said though she couldn’t have accomp-lished the things she has over the years, without the great managers and cooks in the school system.
“Many districts and states are having their food processed,” said Hudson. “I am proud to say in Pulaski County our cooks still cook.”
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