Each year, the Encinitas Union School District recognizes outstanding classified employees in the District. Each school site selects a Classified Employee of the Year based on a variety of criteria including motivation on the job, job performance, cooperation with others, knowledge of the job, school and community service, willingness to take the extra step, and outstanding characteristics, achievements, and contributions to the betterment of the school site and the District. This year's school site Classified Employees of the Year include:

• Diane Okey, Media Center Instructional Assistant at Capri School
• Julie Lewis, Instructional Assistant at Flora Vista School
• Jean Gillette, Instructional Assistant at La Costa Heights School
• Mariann Collins, Office Manager at Mission Estancia School
• Vicki Zook, Instructional Assistant at Park Dale Lane School
• Jim Chambers, Custodian at Ocean Knoll School
• Bernadette Amador, Computer Instructional Assistant at Olivenhain Pioneer School
• Amy Leon, Office Manager at Paul Ecke Central School
• Debbie Cornsweet, Food Service Assistant II at Park Dale Lane School
• Gale Cecil, Skilled Maintenance Worker at Maintenance, Operations and Grounds
• Rick Allen, Warehouse Storekeeper at the District Office

Each of these classified employees personify the high quality of employee in the Encinitas Union School District. Moreover, their selection reflects the high regard their peers have for them and their contributions to the site and District.

A selection committee made up of past Classified Employees of the Year and the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services selected Mariann Collins, Office Manager at Mission Estancia as the Encinitas Classified Employee of the Year. Ms. Collins has worked in the District twelve years. During this time, she has served as an Instructional Assistant, School Services Secretary, and Office Manager. Her colleagues say, "The Mission Estancia office is one of the best-run, friendliest offices in the District mainly because of her presence. She relates well with everyone and always puts the welfare of the students first." Employees from around the District describe Ms. Collins as "fair, collaborative, responsive, warm and caring, graceful, and positive." She serves on several District level committees. She is currently President of the Classified of Encinitas, and consistently works to maintain a positive and collaborative relationship between the District and classified employees. She is a member of the School Site Council at Mission Estancia and has acted as a mentor for office managers throughout the District.