Retirements from the school district are not unusual at the end of an academic year, but it’s not often that two leaders retire at the same time. Kathleen Halkins, RN, BSN, who has served BASD for 32 years, is leaving her role as Supervisor of Health Services for the district. Cleo Millheim, M.Ed., Supervisor of Child Care at BASD, is retiring after 25 years in the role.

The two women are 1973 graduates of Liberty HS, and probably did not imagine nearly 50 years ago that they would both take on significant leadership roles in their home district. Halkins has been a key player in many district initiatives, from building emotional health support services to implementing student electronic health records in 2013. Milheim has been Supervisor of Child Care, a key behind-the-scenes position in the district, for 25 years.

Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy voiced his appreciation for both leaders in the following remarks: “Kathy Halkins has served our students, staff, and families of our school district and community with support, care, and compassion. She will be missed by so many. I wish her many happy healthy years of retirement. It is so well deserved.” Roy went on to say, “The kindness and compassion Cleo Millheim has shown to the BASD and the child care community will be missed. I wish her all the best in her retirement.”

In an ordinary year, both women would likely be honored at a school board meeting with the public physically present. During the current coronavirus pandemic, congratulations are no less heartily offered, albeit virtually. School board president Mike Faccinetto shared his thoughts: “I want to congratulate and thank both of these incredible women for their service to the BASD. Cleo and Kathy always put the needs of their staff and students first. While we have big shoes to fill, they leave us in a good place and we are forever grateful for their tireless work. Our students and families are better off because of them.”