By Debi Hamilton
On any given day, it is not unusual to see one or more of the Eatonville School Board members in one of the schools taking part in programs, classes or attending events. The current School Board, which has over 38 years of combined experience as board members, take their jobs seriously and look forward to professional development and to new ways of thinking. When they set the values in 2014 for the District of Curiosity, Excellence, Responsibility, Character, Equity and Diversity, they decided to adopt those values for themselves as individuals. as well as a group.
Eatonville School District superintendent Krestin Bahr welcomes their participation, which has opened doors to the board members learning more about how education works, where the funding comes from, experiencing the curriculum and programs being taught, and ways to think out of the box with always the same goal of “What is best for the students.”
“We have a board with many different strengths that offer them freely while showing respect for the administration and each other," Bahr said. "They are supportive of using the resources that surround the schools for different approaches to learning. Each of our schools is unique, and our board supports this uniqueness wholeheartedly.”
Board members include Ronda Litzenberger, Roger Andrascik, Paulette Gilliardi, Jeff Lucas, and our newest member, Liza Klumpar. For two years, they have won the WSSDA (Washington State School Directors Associatiion) Board of Distinction award. This year they have won multiple certificates at the annual WSSDA conference in areas such as advanced leadership, equity, and foundations of boardsmanship.
Board chairwoman Ronda Litzenberger and assistant chairman Roger Andrascik committed this year to WSSDA’s advanced leadership classes and participated in projects, multiple conferences and workshops learning how to be leaders in their community and roles.
Jeff Lucas, using his firefighting skills, recently helped students build a lahar trail up the hillside from the district’s Kjelstad farm, where students K-12 spend time in the Ohop Valley. He also spends much time with legislators advocating for the schools.
Roger Andrascik, recently retired from Mount Rainier National Park, lends his expertise and strong connection to nature. You will often see him in classes and on field trips.
Paulette Gilliardi offers a strong community tie, a good sense of business, and strongly advocates for our career technical education programs. Anywhere there are kids, you will see her with them having conversations.
Ronda brings a leadership style that aligns with our goals and values and is very interested in how and what we can offer the students in programs and curriculum. She also volunteers many hours in the schools.
Liza Klumpar brings a fresh view and shares her strengths in technology and 21st-century learning.
With January being Board Appreciation Month, we want to say it has been an honor working with this board. Thank you to our board for all of the volunteer hours you share with us. Eatonville School District is truly blessed
Debi Hamilton is executive assistant to the Eatonville School District's superintendent.
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