Superintendent’s Message

May 16, 2008
Congratulations to our spring sports teams. Softball, baseball, and track are all off to a good start, and have qualified for post-season play.

The recent announcement that Puget Sound Energy plans to add twenty-five additional wind turbines to the Wild Horse Project is good news for our local taxpayers. Another large wind power project has been approved by the county for Invenergy. They are planning on beginning this summer on a sixty-nine turbine project east of Kittitas between the Vantage Hwy and I-90. The two projects should significantly lower local school tax rates, beginning in 2010 or 2011, just as the original Wild Horse Project did starting in 2008. These projects don’t bring in additional dollars to the District, but they do lower the local school M&O and building bond tax rate to all other property owners.

Last fall I announced my planned retirement from education to the school board, effective June 30, 2008. With thirty-two years in public education, and the last nineteen as Kittitas superintendent, the time has come for me to move on to another chapter in my life. It’s time to do other things, including spending more time with family. The years in Kittitas have been very rewarding and enjoyable. Kittitas has been a great place to live, work, and raise a family. I’ve met so many wonderful people who’ve helped our community and schools become a good place for families. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the school board members, past and present, and the entire community for allowing me the opportunity to serve our community through the Kittitas School District.

Congratulations to Monty Sabin for his selection as our next superintendent. I have confidence that he will continue to be a good fit as he moves from our secondary principal to his new role, and that he will help our district become an even better place for our young people to grow into mature young adults. The school board made an excellent decision when they hired Monty. I wish him the very best as he makes the transition to superintendent.

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,