A number of Catasauqua Area School District staff members announced their retirement during the 2023-24 school year.

Kathy Kotran, coordinator of instructional technology and federal programs, graduated from Whitehall High School and Kutztown University. She earned a master’s degree from Wilkes University and an instructional technology degree from DeSales University.

“It has been an incredible journey working at CASD, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have gained during my time here,” Kotran said.

She also lauded the efforts of her colleagues in the district.

“I have had the privilege of working with some of the most talented and dedicated individuals in education, and I am proud of the contributions we have made as a team,” Kotran noted. “I am grateful for the friendships and collaborations we have shared.”

While excited to explore new opportunities and adventures in retirement, Kotran said she will miss the “camaraderie and sense of purpose that comes with being a part of CASD.”

In retirement, Kotran is planning to enjoy vacations, spend more time with friends and family and enjoy a long, healthy life.

Her retirement was effective June 28.

“I would like to express my deep gratitude for the support and encouragement I have received during my tenure at CASD,” she said. “I wish the district continued success, growth and prosperity in the future.”

Custodial leader Edward Heiser was born in Allentown and has lived and worked in the Lehigh Valley his entire life. He graduated from Dieruff High School before earning an associate degree in applied science from Lehigh Carbon Community College.

He worked as an electronics technician for the city of Allentown from 1975 to 1979. He then transitioned to working as a technical investigator at Western Electric.

“I ended up working a very diverse career through many mergers and spin offs, ending up almost 39 years later as a senior member of staff or senior engineer,” Heiser said.

In 2017, Heiser took a job as a custodian for CASD. Five years later, he is now retiring. His retirement was effective Dec. 29, 2023.

“I took pride in my work as a custodian by helping to keep the facilities both clean and safe,” he said.

According to Heiser, the best thing about working in the district is the people.

“I gained many new friends over my five years in the district,” Heiser said. “The people were so kind and respectful of each other, and the administrative staff was very kind and open minded.”

He said he will also miss the students, especially the young ones at Sheckler Elementary School.

“You can never predict what they might say to you,” Heiser said. “But they are straight honest and tell you exactly what’s on their mind.”

In his retirement, Heiser is excited to spend time with his four children and three grandchildren. He noted two of his kids are doctors, one is a nurse and the other is an engineer.

“Now they need to support mom and dad,” Heiser joked.

He is also ready to enjoy time with his two Chesapeake Bay retrievers, named Sandy and Skye.

“The advice I would like to offer to parents is to stay involved with your children,” Heiser said. “Support their teachers and staff, encourage respect and kindness and know that Catty teachers are world-class educators.”

Rosemary Matus, a CDL driver in the district, was born and raised in Allentown and currently lives in East Allen Township.

After graduating from Parkland High School, she earned an associate degree in data processing from Lehigh County Community College and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from DeSales University.

She spent 40 years working in IT before retiring from IBM in 2016. In 2017, she rejoined the IBM team part time in human resources business development.

This part-time schedule allowed Matus to explore and take on a second part-time job as a bus driver for CASD in 2018. She earned her CDL license and started driving the mini bus and full-sized buses in 2019.

“Working for CASD as a bus driver was unlike any other job I had,” Matus said. “Being responsible for the safety of 60-plus kids on your bus can be an enormous responsibility.”

She noted there are challenges to being a bus driver, but many of the kids made it a fun experience for her.

“I choose to carry the fun memories forward with me,” Matus said. “Working for CASD definitely gave me a different view of the world from the corporate job I had been used to for 40 years.

A few weeks after announcing her second retirement from IBM in February, Matus announced her CASD retirement, effective March 13.

She noted she will miss the kids, “who ultimately made me smile at the end of the day.” She also enjoyed taking the kids on field trips and sporting events.

“I appreciate the opportunity and flexibility I had with CASD,” Matus said.

She also reported she will miss her fellow district bus drivers.

“The bus drivers who make sure the kids get to school and home safely are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” Matus said. “When I was just learning to drive, I had the best instructors who helped me make sure I’d pass all of the tests to obtain my CDL on the first pass.

“ I knew I could count on the other drivers to help out when needed, whether it was covering a run or even just trying to unscrew a stubborn oil cap,” she added.

Matus said she is looking forward to spending more time with her husband, enjoying their pool, relaxing at home and maybe playing a little golf.

She said not having that strict schedule to govern her days will be a nice change of pace.

Other district retirees include Patrick MacLaughlin, grounds leader; Annette Noll, general kitchen help; and Mary Frantz, Catasauqua High School guidance secretary.