Seattle Public Schools says goodbye to 2,845 combined years of institutional knowledge today on Tuesday, June 9, when the district honors its 2025–26 retiring class of 124 educators and staff at the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence.

The longest-serving retiree is Frank A. Griffin, director of facility operations, who spent 43 years keeping Seattle's school buildings running. Mary K. Heric, a special education assistant at James Baldwin Elementary, is close behind at 41 years. Fourteen retirees logged 35 or more years each.

The departing class spans nearly every role in the district: classroom teachers, bilingual instructors, special education assistants, school kitchen managers, custodial engineers, librarians, nurses, psychologists, electricians, carpenters, a truck driver, and a principal.

Among the 35-year veterans: Vincent G. Marx, a teacher at Alan T. Sugiyama High School; Victoria D. Appleton, a teacher at Dunlap Elementary; and Kristen L. Wilder, a teacher at North Beach Elementary. Caryl E. Campbell, a James Baldwin Elementary teacher, retires after 39 years.

The district serves approximately 51,868 students. On average, each retiree gave nearly 23 years to Seattle's schools.

The ceremony takes place Tuesday, June 9, at the John Stanford Center, 2445 3rd Ave. S.