West Middlesex Area School District lost 203 years of combined experience Monday when directors accepted retirement notices from seven employees.

The most years of service, 36, were held by high school Principal Russell J. Ridenbaugh. Directors thanked Ridenbaugh for his work in the district.

Director Connie David said Ridenbaugh worked in the district during her freshman year of high school and he helped to change her life.

Mrs. David said she picked a schedule that was all general classes, and her mother had signed the approval slip for the schedule.

Mrs. David said Ridenbaugh called her mother and said the schedule was too easy, and her mother gave him permission to change the schedule. The phone call is something Mrs. David said changed the path of her life. Without the call, "I probably wouldn't be sitting here today," she said.

Directors also accepted the resignations of elementary teacher Rosemarie Janosko, 35 years; special-education teacher Vicki Metz, 27 years; English teacher Vicki Partrige, 34 years; English teacher Jacquelynn Zagger, 19 years; technology coordinator John Manhollan, 34 years; and business and driver's education teacher Robert Morris, 18 years.

Last month directors accepted the retirements of elementary teacher Marjorie Shrawder, social studies teacher Terry Buckwalter and computer and biology teacher James Lynam, who each worked in the district for 35 years.