Left to right: Holonich, Berkheimer, and Money retired this December.

by Katie Ng ‘25

This December, Sherwood’s school secretary Carolyn Holonich, and Pamela Money and Linda Berkheimer, both from the school’s Business Office, will retire. Holonich, Money, and Berkheimer are all good friends who have decided to retire together, and they have made lasting contributions to the school. They have become an integral part of the Sherwood community, and they will be missed.

Holonich worked in MCPS for 25 years and at Sherwood for 20 years. Her current position is Administrative Secretary, and she has held this position for 12 years. As the Administrative Secretary, she handles the master calendar and payroll, helps employees with long term leave, enters incidents and suspensions into Synergy, prepares the weekly bulletin and monthly calendars, and supports Principal Tim Britton.

“Holonich is my right arm. She truly knows how to support me and my admin team,” said Britton. “She knows MCPS procedures and protocols and keeps me in line with school and county policy. She is always ahead of the curve as it pertains to helping staff and other employees with personal issues that affect taking leave. She is an encyclopedia of MCPS.”

Before she became the Administrative Secretary, Holonich worked as a main office secretary and as a paraeducator in the Special Education Department. Additionally, Holonich was a ticket and game manager for Sherwood football games. Although she was eligible to retire this past summer, she decided to retire mid-year to make it easier for the next Administrative Secretary who takes her place. Holonich commented that she will miss Berkheimer and Money along with the other Sherwood staff and students, but that she looks forward to her retirement.

“I will be spending more time with my 3-year-old grandson and 1-year-old granddaughter. I am also looking forward to traveling to Texas to see my son and daughter-in-law and Florida to see my daughter,” said Holonich.

Berkheimer, the School Business Administrator, worked at Sherwood for 24 years and worked in MCPS for 28 years. She has held the School Business Administrator position for 10 years. Her responsibilities include maintaining and approving supply orders; getting teachers the supplies they need; scheduling building rentals; and supervising the financial specialist, cafeteria, building services, media, ITSS, and MST. Berkheimer also works with Britton and the Athletic Director.

She said that she will miss the people/staff at Sherwood but that she plans on keeping in touch with Holonich and Money. She also will spend more time with her family. “I plan on helping two of my self-employed daughters and spending more time with my grandchildren! My husband and I plan on more time at the beach,” said Berkheimer.

Britton noted that the work of the school’s Business Office might go unseen but it is critically important to Sherwood’s operations. “[The Business Administrator] is [a] very important job because at the high school level, there is a lot of money flowing in and out of the school. It is the job of the business admin to make sure money accounts are not in the red and there is an accounting for all money and purchases,” said Britton. “Both the School Business Administrator and Financial Specialist positions are tremendously invaluable to a school function.”

Money worked in MCPS for 25 years and at Sherwood for five-and-a-half years. Money manages school financial accounts, organizes the financial logistics for field trips and fundraisers, enters student obligations, orders supplies, and trains staff on financial policies and procedures. Money decided to retire mid-year because she thinks it is the most practical time. “It is very difficult for a new person to start July 1 as the end-of-year reports are due mid-July and they would be completely unfamiliar with anything that transpired throughout the year to complete these reports and close out the year. Also, coming in mid-year the new person has everything set up for the year and can see how it has been done and simply keep it going,” said Money. When Money retires, she plans on spending time with her family and traveling. She will miss the Sherwood community and sharing stories with colleagues.

Even though it is sad to see Holonich, Berkheimer, and Money go, Britton recognized the importance of their jobs and finding qualified people to fill the positions. Frida Keres, from Gaithersburg High School, will be the new Administrative Secretary. Rebecca Williams from MCPS central office is arriving as the new School Business Administrator. Chris Homon, who has been working in the private sector, is joining Sherwood as the next Financial Specialist. All three will officially begin after winter break, but they are first receiving help and guidance from Holonich, Berkheimer, and Money to ease the transition.