— from Cathy Ferran —
Left to right – Outgoing School Board members Scott Lancaster, Chris Sutton, and Tony Ghazel
One of my duties as an administrative assistant is to bear official witness to the actions of our school board on behalf of our school district. Fairly soon here we will be saying goodbye to three Orcas Island School Board members that between them have served over 30 years – Tony Ghazel since 2004; Scott Lancaster – 2005; Chris Sutton – 2009.
Over the last eight years I have been amazed and grateful for the steadfast commitment that these dedicated volunteers have shown. Just some of the challenges they have faced over the years have included: building a fund balance from ground zero; approving creative ways to fund emergency repairs; passing and failing bonds and levies to upgrade and renovate ageing facilities; tolerating unfair complaints, lobbying politicians on our behalf, etc. etc. – all during the worst economic recession since the great depression.
They, along with continuing board members Janet Brownell and Greg White, have created an outstanding legacy. Orcas Island is a great place to raise kids because we live in a great community.
Tony, Scott and Chris served this community well. Please join me in thanking them and offering support to their successors, Diane Boerstler, Josh Culp and John Fleming.
I’d like to add my personal thanks and the thanks of the Orcas Island Music Advocacy Group to Tony Ghazel, Scott Lancaster and Chris Sutton, as well as to continuing School Board members Janet Brownell and Greg White, for their many years and countless hours of service to OISD. We do indeed live in a wonderful community, with a school district to be very proud of!
Thank you Scott, Tony, and Chis for your enduring and caring involvement with OISD as Directors on the Board. Cathy Ferran summarized well the biggest challenges you faced during your m-a-n-y years of service. You have have met all of these challenges, and more, with diligence, wisdom, and countless voluntary hours of hard work. It has been extremely gratifying to see our public school steadily improve during that time. You have our gratitude for all that you have given of yourselves to help make that possible.
Jean and Steve Henigson