North Beach School District celebrates outstanding employees

NB School District employees of the year presented at school board meeting.

March 1, 2021 4:30 pm

This year’s North Beach School District classified employee and certificated employees of the year were presented at the Feb. 16 school board meeting by Superintendent Andy Kelly.

Nutrition services staff generally play background roles, despite shouldering a significant responsibility for serving meals that meet nutritional and food safety requirements, and within budget limitations.Nutrition Services Director Mike Klemetson, with 13 years in the district, has been named the 2021 Classified Employee of the Year.

The COVID-19 pandemic put another challenge on Klemetson’s plate when he had to facilitate a virtually overnight transition from on-site to delivery food service last March.

Leading and working collaboratively with a team of five colleagues, Klemetson is now transitioning the district back to in-person food service for the majority of the district’s 700 students, serving breakfast and lunch. At the same time, he and his team continue to prepare “take out” meals for children whose families have opted to instead continue remote learning.

Teachers of the Year

The teacher of the year for Pacific Beach Elementary School, Marci Martin, is a remarkable special education teacher who “teaches with her heart,” Principal Marlene Perez said. A North Beach teacher for 14 years, Martin demonstrates compassion for the school’s most needy students, while building relationships with both kids and their families inside the building and out.

Ocean Shores Elementary’s teacher of the year is Bailey Malizia, who is in just her second year of teaching. Nevertheless, Principal Rhonda Ham says, Malizia is an upbeat and challenging teacher who motivates her students with a mix of kindness, gentleness and firmness. She’s also an excellent team collaborator who is already stepping up as a school leader.

North Beach Middle and High School principal Russell Evans presented co-teachers of the year: Peter Fry and Larry Moore. These two student-centered educators share physical education teaching duties and both coach, as well.

Moore, with 33 years of teaching experience in North Beach schools, is the senior partner, but Fry also has a long track record with NBHS — he’s a graduate and once was a student of Moore’s.

Principal Russell Evans note that both are student-centered educators and inspirational leaders who work to meet the needs of ALL students. These two “push our Hyaks to be the best part of the North Beach Nation,” he concluded.