Wittmer retires after 30 years of bus driving for Colfax schools
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By LeAnn R. Ralph
COLFAX — In a letter announcing her retirement, Nancy Wittmer said she was told she would know when it was time to retire as a bus driver — and after 30 years, the time has come.
The Colfax Board of Education approved Wittmer’s retirement at the June 21 meeting.
In her letter dated May 19 to William C. Yingst Jr., school district administrator, and the Colfax Board of Education, Wittmer wrote: “After a lot of thought the past few days, I have decided to retire (at) the end of the 20-21 school year.”
Wittmer goes on to say: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here as a bus driver and want to thank you all for all you have done for me. Seems like the past 30 plus years have gone by fast, hard to believe I’m leaving, but was told that I would know when it’s time and the time has come.”
She concludes her letter by expressing appreciation for all of the support she has received from the school district over the years.
Resignation
In addition to Wittmer’s retirement, the school board accepted the resignation of Erin Brecka, who was hired last year to teach science at Colfax High School.
Brecka earned a Bachelor of Science degree in December of 2016 from UW-Eau Claire with a major in physics education and a minor in broad field science. She also earned a Bachelor of Science degree from UW-Eau Claire in May of 2006 with a major in physics and a minor in Business Administration.
Brecka has licenses to teach Physics, Science and Biology/Life Science.
She previously served as a seventh and eighth grade science and biology teacher at South Middle School and Northstar Middle School in the Eau Claire school district from 2018 until accepting the position at Colfax.
In her letter of resignation dated June 10, Brecka wrote: “After much consideration, it saddens me to say I have decided to take a different direction in my career, so I will not return to teaching in Colfax next year. Colfax is a great school to work for. The staff and administration are very supportive, and the students are some of the best kids I’ve met.”
Reassignment
To account for Brecka’s resignation, the Board of Education approved reassigning newly-hired teacher Brittany Halvorson-Canfield from sixth grade teacher to middle and high school science teacher.
The Board of Education approved hiring Halvorson-Canfield at the May meeting for sixth grade and also approved hiring Nichelle Wollberg as the high school biology teacher.
Both teachers are graduates of Colfax High School.
Prior to coming to Colfax, Wollberg has taught in New Richmond and in Holcombe. Halvorson-Canfield has served as a high school science teacher at McDonell Area Catholic Schools in Chippewa Falls.
Yingst told the school board he had recommended hiring Halvorson-Canfield as the sixth grade teacher with the idea in mind that at some point, she would be reassigned to the high school as a science teacher.
“We just didn’t think it would be quite this soon … she has a great background in science,” he said.
Head cook
After working for 36 years in food service at the Colfax school district, head cook Teri Knutson decided to hang up her apron and call it a day, and the school board accepted her retirement in April.
At the June 21 meeting, the Board of Education approved hiring Bruce Fransway as Knutson’s replacement.
Fransway has served as a bus driver in the Colfax school district for a number of years.
Fransway also has been the owner and operator of Franzwa’s Catering for the past 20 years.
In addition, Fransway owned the Elk Mound General Store for six years, has served as a chef at the Eau Claire Country Club for eight years and also worked as a chef at the Whitetail Golf Course.
New teachers
And last, but not least, in what was a busy night for the school board of retirements, reassignments and new hires, the Board of Education approved hiring Carly Kittilson as a second grade teacher and Tristan Kittilson as a fifth grade teacher.
Carly and Tristan are a husband and wife team, Yingst said.
They are coming from the Glenwood City school district, and they are “top notch” candidates, he said.
Tristan Kittilson has a math background and was a member of the state mathematics curriculum committee, Yingst said.
The Kittilsons have taught in Glenwood City for 11 years, and both of them have extensive coaching experience.
Carly Kittilson grew up on a farm in the Boyceville school district.