The staff of the Roaring Fork School District gathered on Aug. 28 to kick off the new school year and to honor longtime employees who have worked in the district for 15, 20 or 25 years.

Those teachers and staff members honored for 15 years of service to the district include: Doug Bristol, Basalt High technology teacher; Vickie Clark, Basalt Middle bus driver; Sandy DeCrow, Glenwood Springs High health and physical education; Tim Fox, district information services; Sally Friend, Sopris Elementary second grade teacher; Marty Mazzotta, Sopris Elementary PEAK teacher; Karen Olson, Crystal River Elementary principal; Rita Overbeck, Carbondale Middle student secretary; Kitty Riley, Basalt High media specialist; Sue Tarbell, Glenwood Spring Middle eighth-grade science and Jill Wilson, GSHS special education.

Staff honored for 20 years of service include: Allyson Bella-Dodds, Basalt Middle eighth-grade teacher; Howard Jay, Sopris Elementary principal; Ann Meyer, Glenwood Springs Elementary third-grade teacher; Jean Schauster, Crystal River Elementary kitchen staff; Bob Shivley, GSES bus driver; and Linda Slaybaugh, Basalt Elementary Project STAR.

Staff honored for 25 years of service include: Patty Bristol, Sopris Elementary ELL teacher; Carol Burns, transportation supervisor; Julie Hawkins, Crystal River Elementary art teacher; Deborah Kennedy, Crystal River Elementary reading tutor; and Kathy Woodyard, Glenwood Springs High math and science teacher.