The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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March 23, 2009

Fitch, Shain to retire

More than 100 years in Mankato district to be lost at end of year

By Tanner Kent

MANKATO — After long careers in Mankato schools, Sharon Fitch and Marilyn Shain are looking for new hobbies.

Fitch has been a principal in the district for more than 20 years. Shain has been an administrator for 30 years. Both admit being deeply committed to their jobs and both admit to picking up a few hints around the house lately on how to spend their free time in light of their recent retirement announcements.

Shain’s husband suggested she try her hand at fishing. Fitch’s husband promised a new set of golf irons to entice a few extra retirement hours on the links.

“On the golf course, I’m a pretty erratic player,” Fitch said before pausing to emphasize the next statement: “Some days are really good, and some days are really bad.”

Fitch has served as principal at Hoover Elementary since 2003. She began her employment in Mankato schools in 1987 as principal at Jefferson and Eagle Lake elementaries. Prior to that, she was a principal in the Wellcome Memorial School District as well as an educator in the St. Peter and Montgomery school districts.

Fitch said that, during the course of her career, she’s come to define herself as an educator. She called the transition to retirement “bittersweet” and said she’ll be taking more time to travel and spend with family.

“Education has always been my passion and my love,” Fitch said. “I’ll need to stay connected somehow.”

Shain was hired by the district in 1979 as an administrative assistant in the transportation office. During her 30-year career, Shain gradually became transportation director as well as the district’s census director. She’s held offices in no fewer than five district buildings and said that “no two days in a row have ever been the same.”

Born in the northern Minnesota hamlet of Fosston, Shain went to school at Minnesota State University and worked at DeGrood’s before being hired in Mankato schools.

“It’s been an interesting ride that I’ve really enjoyed,” Shain said. “I’ll have an array of wonderful memories to take with me.”

So far, Mankato Area Public Schools stand to lose more than century of administrative experience at the end of the school year.

Supt. Ed Waltman, a 35-year district veteran, will retire at the end of the school year. Mankato west activities director Sharon Euerle is planning to do the same after 20 years in that role.

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