Outgoing School Board Directors Honored

Outgoing School Board Directors and Superintendent Bridget Lewis: Left to right~ Greg Fosse (Four Years of Service), Ken Tenny (Four Years of Service), Superintendent Lewis, and Rose Theisen (Five and one half years of service.)

Outgoing School Board Directors Ken Tenny, Rose Theisen, and Greg Fosse were honored at a reception just prior to the December School Board Meeting. Superintendent Bridget Lewis thanked the outgoing Directors for the countless hours that they have given over the years of their service. Director Daggy thanked Mr. Tenny for his quiet, gentle leadership, Mr. Fosse for playing the “devil’s advocate” so the Board would look at issues from all sides, and Mrs. Theisen for her mentoring and friendship. Director Flemming supported Mrs. Daggy’s comments and thanked them for their membership on a “great Board.” Mrs. Lewis presented each outgoing Director with a plaque of appreciation.

Rose Theisen was appointed to the School Board in 2001 when a former Director moved out of the District. She was selected by the School Board from a large number of applicants. During her first year of service, she was elected to the Vice Chair position; the following year she served the School Board as its Chair. For the past three years, Mrs. Theisen has been the School Board’s Legislative Representative, a position the she has enjoyed tremendously. “Serving on the School Board has been a real learning experience. It is a balancing act between remaining focused on what is best for the students and what is fiscally responsible,” she commented. She would like the community to know that the Nine Mile Falls School District has a reputation of being one of the finest district’s in the State in student achievement (in both academics and extracurricular activities). The District’s high academic results are due to the fact that we continue to improve year-after-year, which is a testimony to the hard work of the teachers, staff, administration, and School Board.

Greg Fosse has served the District for the past four years. During his term, he has been both the Legislative Representative and the WIAA Representative, as well as serving as Vice Chair this year. He is proud of the collaborative climate that was built between the Board and administration during his term. Mr. Fosse has learned a great deal about the education process in Washington State. “It’s not as easy as it may appear at the School Board meetings. There is a lot of information to absorb and much discussion prior to the meetings.” His advice to the new Board Directors is to keep their decisions focused on what is best for the kids, the teachers, and the community.

Ken Tenny began his service to our District four years ago. During his term, he has held the position of WIAA Rep, Legislative Rep, Vice Chair and Chair. He also served as Chair for three successful M & O Levies and the recent Elementary Construction Bond. He is ecstatic that it passed. “It took a lot of compromise and effort!” He has brought a steady, calm, and thoughtful influence to the Board. “The decisions we make look easy at the Board meetings, but there is much discussion, research, and thought that goes on beforehand. We disagreed at times, but listened to one another’s point of view with respect. It was an excellent Board, all five were listeners, courteous, and respectful. No one was trying to push through their own agenda.”

Thank you Rose, Greg, and Ken for serving our students.