Longtime Maple School District employee counts down to retirement

Jun. 24—MAPLE — Peggy Janigo's last Maple School Board meeting June 10 ended with a plant and name plate recognizing her 44 years with the School District of Maple. Board President Mike Granlund gave the retiring executive administrative assistant a hug.

"Forty-four years of service, and it isn't just the longevity but the professionalism, your excellent, excellent work as a administrative assistant," Granlund said.

"You will be missed," said District Administrator Karl Morrin.

The behind-the-scenes work Janigo did for decades covered everything from policies and audits to curriculum and complaints.

"We keep the business office spinning so everybody else can do their jobs," she said.

Past administrators praised her work and dedication.

"Teamwork and team player are synonymous with Peggy," said Gregg Lundberg, who worked with Janigo for 30 years. "She was very responsible and organized, maintained professional and positive work relationships with staff, administrators, board members, students and the public."

In addition to integrity, dedication and confidentiality, Janigo brought a sense of humor to the job.

"Every day we would laugh — if not once, twice, three, four times — because of her quick wit, her intelligence, the fabulous sense of humor. She could catch all the jokes and then make them, too. And when you're dealing with serious issues, sometimes you have to lighten up the atmosphere," said Sara Croney, who served as district administrator from 2015-2023.

Janigo's understanding of the district and policies, meticulous board minutes and agenda explanations and historic knowledge were huge assets to Croney as she stepped into the role of district administrator.

"Every day, she made my life better," Croney said.

What kept her in the Maple School District for 44 years?

"I just care. I really just care about the people, not just the kids but the teachers, the administrators. We have been fortunate to have such good School Board members," who put students first, Janigo said. "To be a part of that mission is really special. I am so lucky. I have been so very lucky. I've met so many wonderful people, so many great kids."

But she's ready to retire.

"When I wrote my letter to the School Board when I was retiring I thanked them and said my identity has been wrapped up in the School Board. Now it's time to find out who I really am," Janigo said.

Janigo grew up in southern Wisconsin, but moved north to work at Deep Lake Lodge in Iron River after her parents purchased it.

In 1980, she was hired as a special education paraprofessional for the district and later moved up to a secretary position at Northwestern Middle School.

In 1985, Janigo moved to Northwestern High School as secretary to the principal. She worked with principals Tom Henning and Greg Blair until 2000, when the position of administrative assistant to the School Board and superintendent opened up.

"I never thought I wanted to work in the district office because I thought I'd be bored ... I was wrong. Very wrong," Janigo said.

In that position, she worked for Lundberg, Croney and Morrin.

"That's one thing that's special about our district. There's not a lot of turnover," Janigo said.

She also coached cheerleading, danceline and spirit team at the high school for 15 years. She and her husband, Scott, who taught physical education and coached softball at NHS, raised three daughters while working for the district.

"She is very dedicated to the community, very dedicated to the district," said Scott Janigo, who retired June 7. "Our kids went to school and graduated there. I graduated from there. And we're just connected that way. It's been our life. We want nothing but the best for it as we venture off into the future."

The fact that the two can leave together, Croney said, is a perfect ending to their careers.

"I am so happy for Peggy. So sad for the school district of Maple. My gosh, when she walks out the door retiring, the history and the skill set that she brings will be gone and that is such a loss to the district," Croney said.

It's time for a new generation to step in, Janigo's daughter Kelcee said.

"I've been there so long that there's kids that I first had in school who have grandkids at the high school," Janigo said.

When she steps away from the job Friday, June 28, her husband of 34 years will be waiting. She was drawn to his confidence and eyes "so blue you could swim in them."

Scott Janigo remembers the first thing she said to him.

"She called me sunshine," he said. "She was beautiful."

Their future plans include expanding their garden in the town of Hughes, spending time with their children and grandchildren, and traveling together in an RV.

"I have relatives all over the United States. We might hop from one end to the other and check out the adventures in between," Janigo said.

Croney said she hopes Janigo finds time to do more watercolor painting as well.

"She is a skilled artist. She doesn't say she is, but I've seen some of her work," Croney said.

Janigo has seen the introduction of computers, watched a successful referendum transform the high school and watched post-secondary options for students expand while working for the district.

"It's been my home. I feel comfortable there. I feel like I was valued there. I felt respected and I'm really, really, really felt proud of the district's reputation, and it's deserved. I wouldn't have wanted to raise my children anywhere else," Janigo said.