CANTON — A long-time school administrator is saying goodbye at the end of the school year, and several other retiring educators will be recognized between now and the end of the school year.

Superintendent Dr. Frank Petruzielo recognized the retirement of Val Bahun, Free Home Elementary School principal and 25-year veteran of the school district, at Thursday’s Board of Education meeting.

“Everybody who has had a chance to work with Val over the years appreciates his work and leadership,” Petruzielo said.

Petruzielo said Bahun, who joined the school district as a teacher in 1987, was unable to attend the meeting because of a family member’s medical issues.

Bahun is among many district administrators and staff members retiring this year, many of whom will be honored with celebrations at their respective schools and have been recognized by the superintendent at previous board meetings.

A retirement celebration honoring Dr. Carla Cohen, assistant superintendent of education programs, will be May 31 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Building C auditorium at 111 Academy St. in Canton. To RSVP, contact Leah Adkins on of before May 18 at leah.adkins@cherokee.k12.ga.us.

Dr. Bob Eddy and four other Creekview High School staff members will be retiring, including teachers Deborah Frost and Linda Orfale and Counselor Ralph Zaffino. A reception will be conducted in their honor May 24 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.

Deanie Fincher’s retirement reception will be May 3 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Educational Services Annex at 1020 Keeler Road in Canton.

A celebration for Claire Dravis, assistant principal; Joann Van Sant, fourth-grade teacher; Cindy Williams, ESOL teacher and B.J. Kidd, special education paraprofessional, on May 21 from 3:45 to 5 p.m. in the Oak Grove Elementary School media center.

Arnold Mill Elementary School staff retiring are Bill Moon, PE teacher, and Kathryn Gunn, fourth-grade teacher. A retirement reception for the two will take place May 23 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the school’s media center.

Pattie Rouse, PE teacher at Avery Elementary School, will have a retirement reception May 14 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the school’s media center.

Teasley Middle School teachers retiring are special education teachers Sharon Barker and Barbara Travis; Patricia Carmichael, science teacher; and Jennifer Davis, language arts teacher. They will be honored at the school May 7 from 4 to 5 p.m.

A reception for four retiring Woodstock Middle School employees from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. on May 15 in the school media center at 2000 Towne Lake Hills South Drive in Woodstock. Nancy James, seventh-grade teacher; Linda Morrison, Jennifer Ross, sixth-grade teacher; and Pat Wallace will all be retiring.

Anita Rivers, an Early Intervention Program math teacher at Indian Knoll Elementary School will have a retirement reception from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on May 1, in the school media center.

A retirement reception for Canton Elementary School staff members Shirley Heinsch, third-grade teacher; Judy Kiser, special education teacher; Janet Privetera and Nancy Wilson, first-grade teacher from 3 to 5 p.m. on May 1, in the media center.

Five staff members at Carmel Elementary School will be given a retirement reception May 10 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the school’s media center. Those being honored are Pam Dedeaux, music teacher; Suzanne Hay, kindergarten teacher; Cindy Spears, fourth-grade teacher; Pat Wall, special education paraprofessional; and Janice Watson, fifth-grade teacher.

Sherry Dennis, Creekland Middle School special education teacher, will be honored with a retirement reception May 22 from 3:45 to 5 p.m. at the school’s media center.

Martin Chapman, Liberty Elementary School fifth-grade teacher, will be honored with a retirement reception Tuesday, May 15 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the school’s media center.