For 884 consecutive paydays, hundreds of Tyrone Area School District employees could count on Lisa Golden to get their paychecks out on time.

While paychecks will continue to come for TASD employees next school year, Golden will process them for the last time at the end of the 2025-26 school year.

Golden was first hired in September 1990 to type course guides for the Director of Curriculum’s office. For the next two years, she floated between administrative offices before moving into the payroll secretary position full-time in July 1992, a role she has held for the last 34 years.

Over the course of her long career, Golden has experienced several major changes in how payroll is handled.

She remembers a time before computers, when all of the work was done completely by hand.

While technology has made the process faster and more efficient, Golden said the job has also become more complex.

“Although technology has transformed the process over time, making it faster and more efficient, the role itself has grown more complex, with expanded responsibilities such as reporting, benefits administration, and compliance,” Golden said.

Golden said her proudest accomplishment was making sure payroll was completed accurately and on time every payday, a total of 884 paydays during her career.

While that is a great accomplishment, Superintendent Leslie Estep said Golden’s impact on the district goes far beyond processing the payroll.

“Besides the knowledge of the long tenure in her position, Lisa possesses a great deal of institutional knowledge that cannot be replaced,” Estep said.

Estep said Golden has always been available to answer staff questions and help explain complicated issues related to payroll and benefits.

“She has a welcoming personality and is just an easy person with which to talk,” Estep said. “I will miss Lisa’s presence in our office, in general.”

Golden’s years with the district also included plenty of memorable moments.

One that she remembers vividly was in the spring of 1999, when the administrative offices moved from Lincoln School to the new elementary school and had to pack up years and years of records and storage rooms for the move. Of course, this was prior to records being computerized, and involved thousands of documents in dozens of filing cabinets and storage containers.

Not all of her memorable moments were related to payroll and paperwork.

One of the most unexpected ones occurred when Golden walked out of work at Lincoln School and discovered that her car had been stolen from the side street where she had parked after lunch.

Estep said that beyond her great work ethic, Golden’s personality has also made her a memorable part of the administration office.

“Lisa has an innocence about her that makes her genuine reactions to things very comical at times,” Estep said. “It is difficult to describe, but if you know Lisa, you know what I mean! She is a kind, caring person who naturally sees the good in people.”

As she prepares for retirement, Golden said she hopes people remember her as a dedicated co-worker who was always willing to help, but most importantly, as a friend.

Administrative Assistant Sally Woomer has worked with Golden for years and will miss her experience, but even more importantly, their daily interactions.

“In addition to being a conscientious, dedicated, and extremely knowledgeable employee, Lisa has been a wonderful coworker and friend,” Woomer said. “I can’t imagine the office without her. She has worked hard to get to this point, and I wish her a long, happy, and healthy retirement.”

In retirement, Golden said she plans to spend a lot more time at her campsite at Camp Blue Diamond, visit family and friends, and enjoy mornings sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee, watching the birds.

“As I look back on my years at TASD, I’m so grateful for the relationships I’ve built with my work family and the many memories I’ll always cherish,” Golden said. “I’m excited for this next chapter, having the freedom to do what I want, when I want, with no set schedule and no morning alarm!”

Estep said Golden’s retirement will leave a void in the administration office.

“I am going to miss Lisa greatly,” Estep said. “She has dedicated herself to her position and to the district in ways that you don’t always see anymore. I wish Lisa the best in her well-deserved retirement. Our office will not be the same without her.”