As we celebrate the 2025-26 school year, we are proud to recognize the talented and dedicated individuals retiring from CPCSC. Together, these retirees represent an incredible 449 years of service to our schools and community. We are deeply grateful for the time, care, and commitment they have shared with students, staff, and families throughout their careers. Below, staff members who submitted retirement reflection sheets share some of their favorite memories and plans for retirement. You can find photos from our annual retirement breakfast at this link.

Marian Buchko – MacArthur Elementary Principal
After 38 years in education, including 30 years at MacArthur Elementary, Marian Buchko is retiring with a legacy of caring for students. She fondly remembers MacArthur becoming both a Four-Star School and a National Blue Ribbon School, accomplishments she was proud to celebrate alongside her staff and students. Marian says she has truly loved her time with students and will miss them all. In retirement, she looks forward to traveling, volunteering, swimming, and biking.

Andrew Cummins – Winfield Custodian
After 10 years with Crown Point Schools, Andrew Cummins is looking forward to retirement projects around the house and planning future Disney Cruise vacations. One of his favorite parts of the job was working in the buildings during the quieter summer months while preparing for the excitement of a new school year. Andrew says he will especially remember the students and the thoughtful notes they would leave for him.

Anne Equihua – Taft Middle School Teacher
Anne Equihua retires after 33 years in education, including 29 years serving Crown Point students. She says some of her greatest memories are the letters she has received from former students sharing the difference she made in their lives. Anne plans to spend her retirement traveling to visit her children and patiently waiting for her husband, Artie, to retire this December.

Kelly Foster – Lake Street Elementary Teacher
Kelly Foster is retiring after 21 years with CPCSC. She is excited to spend more time with her daughters, who will both attend Purdue University this year, and looks forward to traveling. Kelly says there are too many wonderful memories to count, but being named CPCSC Teacher of the Year in 2019 was especially meaningful. She has loved watching her former students grow, graduate, and achieve amazing accomplishments in their lives.

Marty Freeman – Director of Transportation
After 32 years in education, including four years as CPCSC’s Director of Transportation, Marty Freeman is ready for new adventures in retirement. He plans to travel, camp, and proudly take on his newest role as a stay-at-home papaw when his grandson arrives in August. Marty says one of the highlights of his career was building strong relationships with his team of drivers, aides, monitors, and mechanics.

Liz Hanlon – Crown Point High School Teacher
Liz Hanlon retires after 21 years at Crown Point High School, where she made a lasting impact in the Exceptional Education department. She plans to travel and relax while reflecting on many special memories, including serving as advisor for Best Buddies and hosting Exceptional Education nights. Liz was honored as a two-time Best Buddies Indiana Advisor of the Year. She also remembers beginning her CPCSC journey as a CPHS peer tutor and recalls a former principal singing with his guitar for students in her class.

Michelle “Shelly” Hillegonds – Central Office Food Service Coordinator
After 19 years with CPCSC, Shelly Hillegonds is retiring with a full-circle story. Shelly attended Taft Middle School as a student, later returned to Taft as a cafeteria monitor, and ultimately finished her career at Central Office, built on the former Taft site. She says she was blessed to work alongside unified, hardworking teams throughout her career. In retirement, Shelly looks forward to spending time with her grandchildren and tackling projects around the house.

Keith Iddings – Crown Point High School Teacher
Keith Iddings retires after 34 years with CPCSC, having taught at both Taft Middle School and Crown Point High School. A proud CPHS graduate himself, Keith also shares that connection with his wife and both daughters, who are all CPHS alumni. He looks forward to slowing down, traveling, becoming more involved at church, and taking on projects around the house. Keith says he will always remember the incredible dedication of CPCSC teachers, administrators, and staff.

Pat Maggi – Central Office IT Support Specialist
After 14 years with CPCSC, Pat Maggi is stepping into retirement and, according to him, is still figuring out exactly what that means. He plans to spend more time enjoying his hobbies, including classic cars and woodworking. One memory that still makes him laugh is the time he had to show a high school student how to put a shipping label on a box.

Barbara Merrill – Solon Robinson Elementary Principal
Barb Merrill retires after 25 years with CPCSC, ending her career in the same place where her family’s connection to education began decades ago. Her mother started her own teaching career at Solon in 1973, and years later, Mrs. Merrill is concluding hers there in 2026. One of her favorite memories was having both of her daughters attend Solon while she served as principal. In retirement, she looks forward to spending time with family and friends, traveling, and enjoying her hobbies.

Stephanie Olson – Colonel Wheeler Middle School Teacher
After 11 years as a seventh- and eighth-grade math teacher at Colonel Wheeler Middle School, Stephanie Olson is retiring and preparing for a move to Florida, where she owns a smoothie shop. Stephanie says the relationships she built with students and coworkers are memories she will always cherish.

Dennis Santay –  Lake Street Elementary Custodian
Dennis leaves Lake Street after 11 dedicated years as the head custodian. One of his best memories is from 2025 when he saved an owl in the soccer net on the playground. Dennis said he wants to give a very special thanks to the generous PTO at Lake Street, especially for their support during the 12 Days of Christmas. His plans for retirement include finishing restorations on his home, hiking, cycling, and spending more time with his family.

Ginny Zega – Crown Point High School Family and Consumer Science Teacher
Ginny Zega retires after 18 years with CPCSC, leaving a lasting impact on students through both Family and Consumer Science classes and the high school internship program. One of the most memorable moments of her career came in 2015, when she was asked to take over and expand the internship program. Under her leadership, participation grew from 50 students to more than 250 students each year. Ginny also dedicated more than 11 years to planning proms and homecoming dances. In retirement, she says she plans on “being the best Gigi” and helping her children raise their families.

Joyce Zembillas – Taft Middle School Teacher
After 18 years with CPCSC, Joyce Zembillas is retiring with deep gratitude for her Taft family. She says the care, kindness, and sense of community shown to her during her battle with cancer in 2018 are memories she will never forget. Joyce also treasures the many letters she has received from students over the years. In retirement, she plans to spend more time helping at church and caring for her parents.