As this school year comes to an end, the Islands will be waving farewell to a handful of retirees.
Leaving with the class of 2025 will be teachers Mr. John Grennan, Mr. Vincent DiBella, Mr. Blake Hill and Mr. Graham Gurney.
Also retiring are lead campus supervisor Mr. Steven Krone, copy room clerk Ms. Librada (Lita) Hernandez, and custodian Mr. Richard Lopez.
Mr. Grennan, an impactful and cherished teacher at CI, has been teaching for 30 years, all of which were at Channel Islands. He taught tenth and eleventh-grade English, AP English Language and Composition, and AVID. Not only is Mr. Grennan a teacher, but he is also the founder and advisor of The Isle File.
Prior to following his family steps and becoming a teacher, Mr. Grennan worked in journalism as a sports reporter for 8 years, with a degree in journalism from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. His background in journalism led to the establishment of CI’s school newspaper in 1996.
“Although I was a journalism major in college, producing a school newspaper was completely different,” said Mr. Grennan. “I would like to thank Mr. River as he was very helpful with getting it off the ground those first few years.”
Mr. Grennan shared his feelings of excitement towards retiring. He is well-deserving of this moment as he’s worked hard as a journalist, editor, teacher, club adviser, restaurant worker, and paperboy.
In retirement, Mr. Grennan doesn’t know exactly what he will do but he hopes to stay active in sports, travel, read, go to the gym, and continue other fulfilling hobbies. He also hopes to take golf classes and learn how to play the piano with the aid of piano lessons.
“Journalism and teaching have both been fulfilling careers, said Mr. Grennan. “I really was a Raider for life.”
Mr. DiBella is a Special Education teacher who teaches basic anatomy and physiology as well as math. He spent 30 years teaching, being at CI for 21 years and teaching at Fox Lane High School in New York for 9 years.
Before becoming a teacher, he worked with the Volunteer Fire Rescue Company in New York where he was (and currently is) an EMT. Mr. DiBella also served as a Marine Infantry Officer for 4 years, having to leave due to getting injured in Central America.
“I gravitated to always doing service,” said Mr. DiBella. “Being a Marine is a service, just as being a teacher is a service.”
Once retiring from being a teacher, he will move onto his third career, which is in the Arms Security field. Given his background as a Marine and being an EMT, he has certifications that allow him to enter this field.
“It’s been a pleasure being able to work with students and their parents here,” said Mr. DiBella. “In life, we do our part, and then we move on.”
Mr. Hill, the teacher who has been at CI the longest, is a Spanish teacher and Filipino Culture Club advisor who has been working at CI for 36 years. During retirement, he’s excited to continue his hobby of beekeeping as well as moving his family to Spain in the near future.
Among the retirees of 2025 is campus supervisor Mr. Krone, who has been in service at The Islands for 5 years. Mr. Krone started his career in the U.S. Coast Guard for 6 total years. Four were active and two were inactive with 1 year of war service.
Mr. Krone was also a State Correctional Officer for 25 years. He made his way to The Islands when Mr. Peter Rivas asked him if he wanted a job here after breaking up a fight.
“My favorite memories are always the last 10 minutes of work,” said Mr. Krone. “We (campus supervisors) would just crack up laughing and tell jokes.”
After retirement, Mr. Krone plans on continuing his musical passion with performing. He plans on going solo then joining a group as the lead singer and guitarist. Mr. Krone also hopes to go back into tournament golfing.
Other retirees leaving CI are duplicating operator Ms. Hernandez, who has been in service for 25 years at CI, and science teacher Mr. Graham Gurney.
On a related note, OUHSD has cut down the layoff notices. Only 13 layoffs will be given to certificated staff and 32 to classified, according to the VC Star.
This cut in layoffs is the result of about 120 staff members taking the financial incentive of retiring this school year.
