We wish to thank the following for their years of service to the District and wish them well on retirement.
Matt English – 45 Years in District
Life and Career History:
Matt started as a substitute bus driver in October of 1978 at 20 years old then was hired as a regular Route Driver. In 1989, Bob Klinefelter and the mechanic Butch Klinefelter recommended him for the Directors Position.
Matt has felt very lucky to have these excellent mechanics over the years to help make things run smoothly: Butch Klinefelter, Ed Shover, Jason Paulson and now his son Thomas English.
There have been many changes for Matt as the years have gone by. Matt has served under 12 Superintendents, 11 as Director.
Matt has transported the grandchildren of some of his first students. The first bus Matt ordered cost approximately $38,000.00. Buses now cost $186,000.00. When Matt took over as Director, there were 14 bus routes with school sites in Martelle, Viola and 4 in Anamosa. There are currently 9 routes serving the 4 sites in Anamosa. They have added 2 special education routes and multiple preschool routes.
Matt’s family has been part of the Anamosa Community since 1856, each generation attending Anamosa Schools. Three generations have played football on the present Downing Field.
Matt states “I could not have asked for a better job allowing us to raise our six kids as they went through the grades.” Matt’s granddaughter will start Kindergarten here this fall. Matt would like to think that this is some of the motivation as to why two of his children have wanted to continue to work in the District. His son Matthew is a teacher at Anamosa High School and Thomas will take on the new Lead Driver/Mechanic position in the district.
Matt states “the years have flown by and it has been a great time”.
Favorite Memory:
“The smiling faces of the students year after year. They are the faces of tomorrow.”
Beth Thomas – 22 Years in District
Life and Career History:
Beth started her career at ACSD as a cook in the high school kitchen in 2003. Beth was recruited to work summers for the maintenance department and after 10 years, she transferred to the maintenance department full-time. Beth has many crazy memories of working in HOT schools all summer. Beth is looking forward to spending time with family and putting miles on their mobile home.
Favorite Memory:
“When we stripped the terrazzo hallway in the old middle school! Such a hard job but great co-workers and the finished project was very pretty. I have lots of memories of working hard but with great coworkers, we made many tasks fun”
Linda Vaughn – 19 Years in District
Life and Career History:
Like most retirees, Linda and her husband are looking forward to spending more time with their family and having fewer responsibilities.
After spending 12 years teaching and coaching in northwest Iowa, Linda moved to Anamosa due to a job change for her husband. After four years as principal at St. Pat’s, Linda spent six years as PK-12 principal at Olin (where she went to school as a kindergartener). Linda states “If you want to learn about educational leadership, accept a PK-12 administrative position!” In 2006, Linda accepted the job as 6-8 Principal at Anamosa’s West Middle School.
Linda states “Living in the middle school environment is the best of both worlds – you can see the excellent work our elementary teachers have done, and also watch our high school teachers polish up the product. It’s those in between years that can be a little unpredictable and eventful! Cheers to those who have chosen to spend their time teaching middle schoolers.”
Favorite Memory:
“Moving from West Middle School to Anamosa Middle School. The two buildings couldn’t be more different!”
Service Awards:
5 Years
Jason Diers
Emily Flockhart
Shawna Giegerich
Brooke Holmes
Josie O’Grady
Marissa Roosa
15 Years
Jesse Albaugh
Steve Hovey
Tom Rogers
Tammy Seeley
20 Years
Nicole Colehour
Cheryl Haker
Jennifer Petersen
Annette Schau
Darci Wagner
25 Years
Dawn McLaughlin
Lori Sams
Linda Von Behren
30 Years
Patti Timp
Thank you to the Anamosa
School Foundation for the
donation of Service Awards
and Retiree Recognition
