Farewell, and thanks

This is my last opportunity for a Board report. It has been my privilege and pleasure to serve the citizens of Poudre School District for the last eight years. It has been a time of great change – new leaders at all levels of PSD, economic turmoil, No Child Left Behind, international events – but PSD has been a consistent center of excellence through it all, and for that, I thank everybody who was part of it.

When I first came on the Board in 1999, we were a collegial group. We got along fairly well. However, I do not think we were nearly as effective as we could have been. That has changed. Over the years, the Board has tackled a variety of issues which have helped define the Board’s proper role in governing the District and representing the interest of the citizens. We have not avoided hard or controversial problems. We have increased the effectiveness of our community outreach. We have enhanced the collective voice of the Board. Most significantly, we have reformed our jobs so that we can pay attention to those issues which most appropriately require Board oversight. Best of all, we have done this all without sacrificing our teamwork or mutual respect.

The Board’s reform is, of course, not complete. We have just begun looking at policy-level goals for PSD. This process will take several years to really get established, and it will be up to the new Board and its successors to finish the job. I have great confidence in your ability to do so, and I look forward to the process and ultimate results.

I would like to thank a few people. First, my fellow Board members and past Board members I have worked with – Gerri, David, Steve, John, Jim, ML, Tom, Jana, Larry, Garth, Nancy, Bill, Anne – we have been through a lot together, but I firmly believe that PSD is a better place because of our efforts. Next, the PSD community has been amazingly supportive of us over the years and deserves much of the credit for our success. Third, I’d like to thank our current Superintendent Dr. Wilson as well as former Superintendents Wright, Bamford, and Unger. Fourth, the staff on the front lines has given their hearts to the children of PSD, and your results speak volumes about your dedication and professionalism. Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank my family, who has sacrificed more than I probably even know for me to be here over the years, but who has been unwaveringly supportive.

Thank you all.