by Keith Kent, Winchendon Courier Correspondent
Retiring Superintendent of Winchendon Public Schools Joan Landers was honored for her service and dedication by members of the School Committee during a marathon Tri-Board (School Committee, Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee) meeting on Monday, August 9. She received accolades from all present, who shared stories of everything from Landers staying late almost every day, to her being told to go home and always replying, "I have just one more thing!"

School Committee member Greg Vine said, "There has been so many good things happening since Joan Landers came on board, and to say thank you just really isn't enough. Joan, we appreciate the work so much you have done, for the district, for the parents, for the children, for the community as a whole, and you are going to be missed. You really helped set the tone for this district, and while I can't say enough about all you have done, I am glad I was able to serve on the school committee during your tenure."

Ryan Forsythe, a newer School Committee member, followed with, "The only thing I can add is the commitment Joan has made to this district at a time in her life where she could have made another choice and decided to retire. During this last period where the school district has been challenged to find the right staff, to fill the right roles to keep our schools moving forward, Joan has really stepped up to set up the school district, even after leaving her old district as a former Superintendent, and that deserves to be applauded, even after the great successes she has had as a part of this district. So we thank you, and congratulations on your next step."

School Committee Chair Lawrence Murphy complimented Landers with, "We have had great discussions and a meeting where we talked about the past under Joan's tenure, and how grateful we all were for the work that she has done and leadership she has shown, and the joy that she has brought. I can't tell you how proud I was of the leadership and work that Joan did during the pandemic. Many days Joan came and would drive in early so she could deliver meals, as well as keep her own schedule. Her commitment to our students and families here was unparalleled."

Murphy went on, "We couldn't get her to go home. We would drive by the school late and her car was still parked there, and I would say, 'Go home,' and she always replied, 'I just have one more thing!' It was always one more thing with Joan, and the benefit of her dedication and commitment was to our families, students, and staff here in town. Personally she has been a really big help to me in trying to help me grow as a school committee member and trying to help me be the best version of a committee member I could be, and trying to help get me to temper things."

Murphy concluded, "Joan, I do appreciate everything you have done, and I wish you the very best. I was talking with Joan in discussion and she was still looking forward to getting her doctorate. She is ABD, 'All But Dissertation.' I know Joan is going to go on to do great things. I don't like the word 'retirement' as it's too final. I know you will find some fun things to do, and really, congratulations from the bottom of my heart, thank you for all the work you put in, the dedication, the commitment, your kindness, and you will be sorely missed for sure. Thank you." Members from all three boards then gave Landers a standing ovation.

Finance Committee Chair and former West Boylston Superintendent of Schools Thomas Kane added, "I think I can speak for the Finance Committee for how grateful we were for being able to work with Joan, particularly on the financial questions and solutions that were made over the last several years. We had a lot of opportunities to meet together and talk about those issues. I was always shocked about the transparency Joan projected."

Kane went on, "She didn't try to hide around the difficult questions and try to avoid them. She certainly understood what the issues were, and was right out in the open as how she was going to address them. I want to say as a fellow educator how impressed I was, and still am, of the way she prioritized the needs and addressed the needs of the school system. That level of professionalism, of being an educator, is something that is going to impact the school system for years to come. Joan, we wish you nothing but the best." Again, members of the School Committee, Board of Selectmen, and Finance Committee provided Landers with her second standing ovation.

Interim Superintendent of Schools Thad King then spoke. "I count myself as one of the few and very privileged to have worked directly for Joan. Under her guidance, her mentorship, as well as working side by side with her. I would say those opportunities working with her are honestly the highlights of my career at this point, and what I have learned over the past three years with you I am very very fortunate. You define education and compassion, and how they should be used throughout the school district, and I hope to live up to the standards you have set moving forward. Thank you very much for what you have done for me personally and for this school district."

Landers responded, "I couldn't have lasted one week without all the help, and all the assistance I got from day one. I am very grateful for that, but especially for all the children. I read there was a time the students felt people looked down at Winchendon. So I would tell people: we will address the issues, and show people what this town could really do. So I really enjoyed my time here, and I thank everyone for everything they did for the students and for myself. It means so much to me, I really appreciate it."

After receiving her third round of applause, Joan Landers will now begin to enjoy the next phase of her productive life, finally able to enjoy quality time with family, children, and grandchildren. The Town of Winchendon wishes Landers a long, happy, healthy, and enjoyable life.