Retiring Big Foot district administrator honored
By Penny Gruetzmacher
Correspondent
The Dorothy Kaufmann Retirement Luncheon, held June 8 at the Geneva National Club House, began with Kaufmann herself honoring four staff members – Angeli Sota, Zack Markhardt, Mike Dowden and Suzanne Floody, who are leaving the school for other endeavors.
But then it was time to celebrate the career of Kaufmann, who is retiring. She was introduced by Mike Hinske, principal at BFHS, introduced Kaufmann, who began by sharing the history of her involvement in education.
Hinske said he first met Kaufmann 32 years ago when he was a wrestling coach at Sharon Elementary School. Kaufmann began her career in 1972 as a teacher in Wauwatosa. In 1975, she received a call from Lakeland School asking her to start a program to teach special education students.
Kaufmann taught special education students at Sharon and Fontana Elementary schools and the program became a pilot for students. Kaufmann completed her education in administration and held that position at Sharon Elementary from 1985 to 2006, when she retired briefly. After a short time away, she was asked to come back and assist and did so, finishing out the 2006-2007 school year.
Hinske talked about the challenges Big Foot High School had faced with two administrators in a three-year span, explaining the school needed someone who could bring change while earning trust.
Kaufmann accepted a position as interim administrator in 2007 and faced a lot of challenges that year, according to Hinske. But over time, people began to trust Kaufmann. Hinske said Kaufmann had one -year contracts with a five-day opt out clause that he was thankful she never used.
The interim tag was eventually removed and Kaufmann and Hinske developed a plan. At the time, Hinske said he stayed on board to complete some projects he had started and Kaufmann agreed to stay one more year. Hinske said the last couple of years were difficult for Kaufmann due to medical challenges but through it all she remained strong and stayed abreast of what was going on at school (from Hinske and Deb Way) during her stem cell transplant and subsequent recovery.
Kaufmann returned to work and recently gave a commencement speech at Lakeland School of Walworth County, demonstrating her desire to continue to be involved with special needs students.
“As you draw near to your close at Big Foot High School, please remember what an impact you had. Your compassion for Big Foot High School, your unwavering compassion for Sharon Community School and Lakeland School, may never be completely understood by anyone who does not know Dorothy well. Those who do are grateful that you shared so much of your life with us and that you played such a large part in making Big Foot High School the place it is today,” Hinske said.
“As you are leaving, you are leaving a legacy that you are making sure that all kids – and I mean all kids – are well cared for. If we measure success in the saying, ‘Did I make a difference,’ you must know that you did. You have impacted many people, more than you will ever know, and as you retire, I wish you and Bernie the best,” he said.
“It is time to enjoy all that you have worked for. Godspeed, my friend,” Hinske said, followed by a resounding applause by those present.
Special gifts presented
The awards for Kaufmann began with a presentation by Nicole Raskin, a teacher at BFHS for the past 15 years.
Raskin said before Kaufmann came on board at Big Foot, the teachers felt unvalued and unappreciated and the school was in desperate need of positive leadership.
“When Dorothy addressed the teachers at a summer in-service, I knew that Dorothy was the woman for the job,” she said.
To honor Kaufmann’s legacy, Raskin said, the staff retirement fund was donated to a scholarship in Dorothy Kaufmann and Bernie Kaufmann’s name.
Raskin presented Kaufmann with a wrapped gift, which contained an engraved crystal apple, on behalf of the Big Foot High School staff.
Becky Merwin, president of Big Foot Fine Arts Foundation, talked about Kaufmann’s involvement with the Foundation and her leading the way for the improvements and renovation of the Big Foot Auditorium.
Merwin talked about the ongoing fundraising for the Fine Arts program, which includes the selling seats and plaques that are displayed in the back of the auditorium. “We are giving you a plaque in honor of your work for the fine arts program and making a difference in Big Foot,” Merwin said to Kaufmann.
Big Foot High School Board of Education President Ed Hayden spoke about Kaufmann having the best interests of the students in mind – which was also clear in her budget – and always being a visible presence in the building in addition to keeping the Board informed about what was going on.
Hayden thanked Kaufmann for her support of the school board and presented her with a plaque from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers. Hinske presented a citation to Kaufmann from the State of Wisconsin, honoring her for her 45 years in education as well as her compassion, dedication to students and deep ties to the Walworth County area through various schools, which was signed by area representatives.
Richard Rasmussen, of Big Foot High School Scholarship Foundation, talked about the foundation and said in excess of $160,000 was awarded to Big Foot High School graduates this spring. Two of the scholarships were created to honor Dorothy and Bernie in the amount of $1,000 each.
Rasmussen spoke about Kaufmann’s accomplishments during her time as a Big Foot High School student and a graduate in 1966. He also talked about the start of a Big Foot High School Hall of Fame announcing Kaufmann will be the initial inductee. The Hall will recognize those who, through their professional achievements or service, have brought honor to the school.
There will be a plaque for Kaufmann on one wall of the school, Rasmussen said, adding, “Class of 1966 Alumni…in part it said that you will be a true Chieftain for life an example of the Chieftain Code to be respectful, be responsible and be productive.”
Words of wisdom
Kaufmann began by thanking those present at the luncheon “from the bottom of my heart. It has been my honor and a pleasure to serve as administrator at Big Foot High School. When I first started working at Big Foot, I had no idea what to expect. You gave me the opportunity to be part of the Big Foot family. You welcomed me in and together we faced the challenges that existed the first year. Ever since then, you have treated me with kindness and graciousness… certainly evident today by the comments, gifts and happiness in this room.”
Kaufmann brought laughter and smiles to the crowd when she said she has asked Hinske to be kind to her at the luncheon, which he “certainly was.”
She said Hinske had grown to be a dear friend that she will miss daily, Way was a “good spirit and friend,” and she appreciated the relationship she formed with Merwin recently. She also thanked the Board of Education for the continuity they provided during her 10 years that she was administrator, and complimented them on the way they do business.
Kaufmann said she looks forward to enjoying her final three weeks.
“Big Foot High School has been a wonderful place to work with caring adults. I am so lucky to have had this opportunity. I am blessed by this and this out pouring of people who are close to me and I cannot tell you how much this means to me. I will cherish the friendships I have made at Big Foot High School and I will miss seeing everyone,” Kaufman said.
Hinske closed the meeting with some additional comments about Kaufmann.
“When Dorothy came to Big Foot High School, she brought a unique perspective. She came to Big Foot High School with a 4K to eighth grade perspective. One of the unique things in our district is being a Union High School District with four feeder schools. When Dorothy came up a number of people said, ‘I can’t believe you went over to the dark side,’” Hinske said.
“I am glad you went to the dark side and brought us through the dark ages,” he added.
Kaufmann will retire July 1.
