Saiz announces retirement at APS board meeting

By SAMANTHA MORIN
Daily Press Staff Writer
At Artesia Public School’s monthly Board of Education meeting Feb. 11, three board members were reelected and sworn in to serve another two-year term on the board and one board member officially announced his retirement.
Lowell Irby, Margaret Aguilar and Becky Harwell were the three board members sworn in following unopposed elections held last month.
Irby will serve as president of the board, Aguilar as secretary, and Harwell will serve as a member for the next two years. … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
“Of all the things I have been involved in, this is one of the things I have enjoyed the most,” commented Irby. “I think being able to watch young people grow and learn and go out into society and the world and become productive people has been really rewarding for me.”
Also serving another two-year term is Jeff Bowman, vice president.
As board members were welcomed back, Juan Saiz, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, officially announced his retirement.
After 42 years with the district, Saiz will retire on June 30 of this year.
“It was a tough decision, but I am ready to move on,” stated Saiz.
In a letter written by Saiz to Superintendent Crit Caton and the board, Saiz said, “There are not enough words to express the gratitude for all the opportunities, professionally and personally, that the Artesia Public Schools has provided myself and my family. I have enjoyed working with the best Board of Education, the best administrators, the best teachers and the best support staff in the entire state of New Mexico. Thank you for an awesome and rewarding career.”