Board honors retirees and celebrates teacher grant and esports funding

The Sturgeon Bay School Board used part of its March 20 meeting to recognize long‑serving staff and to note recent grant awards to district programs.

The board acknowledged retirees including Joan Winkel (27 years), Todd Michael (11 years in various coaching and physical education roles), Terry Stoneman (33 years as a TA), Cindy (custodial/operations) and Mary Biggs (regrets noted). The chair and several administrators offered tributes describing each retiree’s service, community ties and contributions to students.

Administrators also highlighted grant support for programs in the consent agenda: the packet listed $7,500 from Respawn Gaming to the esports program and $28,007 from the Herb Kohl philanthropies. In building reports, a middle‑school principal announced that teacher Steven Jacobson received a $6,000 grant from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation (with a matching $6,000) that will support classroom projects; the principal described the award as the first of its kind in the district for this recognition.

Speakers framed these items as recognition of staff dedication and community support: the chair thanked retirees and presenters noted the role of volunteers and donors. The meeting recessed briefly for the recognition portion before returning to the business agenda.

Next steps: Board members thanked retirees and encouraged community members to follow district communications for possible retirement acknowledgments and for details on how grant funds will be used in program budgets.