Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

By proclamation of the governor, January is School Board Recognition Month. It’s a great time to recognize our elected community members who selflessly give their time and energy in support of high-quality public schooling for our youth. School board members of Lind-Ritzville Cooperative Schools are entrusted by two outstanding communities with responsibility for an annual budget of $10 million, 545 students, 129 employees and 4 schools.

School boards are charged with making decisions that can sometimes be quite difficult, or require sifting through a great deal of information. They also bear responsibility for developing a vision that will guide the school district for years to come. Through collaborative team work, and with school district staff, their governance and advocacy are building the future of education in Washington state.

This January, we’re encouraging all members of the community to thank a board member. Please thank them for volunteering their time and playing a critical civic role that helps form the bedrock of our democracy—public education. As a crucial bridge between the local community and the school district, their efforts are instrumental in helping all of us realize the hopes and dreams we have for the children of our communities.

The men and women serving Lind District: Josh Hernandez, Adam Labes, Jani Melcher, Jim Weidemann and the Ritzville District: Scott Carruth, Greg Galbreath, Layne Iltz, Marci Miller, Reid Phillips have a combined 47 years of school director service.

For more information about our great schools, visit our website at https://wa01000523.schoolwires.net/.

Sincerely,

Superintendent Don Vanderholm

Lind-Ritzville Cooperative Schools