The public is invited to join members of the Kelso School District board of directors and administration for a reception to celebrate the accomplishments of board members Mike Haas and Ruth Clark, who are both leaving the board. The reception will be held on Monday, Nov. 16, at 5:15 p.m. at the Ruth B. Clark Administration Building, 601 Crawford St.
Kelso's two newly elected directors officially join the board at its December 14 meeting.
Mike Haas was appointed to the board in May 2001 and reelected to his seat in 2001 and 2005. He has served on the I-728 Committee, Council on Learning, Nutrition Committee and Facilities Committee.
Haas and the rest of the board were instrumental in implementing the bond that voters passed in early 2001, which resulted in a rebuild of Barnes Elementary and Kelso High.
"My boys attended Barnes before the rebuild, and the new Barnes was a much needed improvement," Haas said. "I think we made good decisions, and all of it was done on time and on budget."
Haas said he is also proud of the school board's approach to community engagement through Listening Post events, which he helped put into practice.
"I will miss Mike on the board," said Bob Simmons. "We are a better board and Kelso is a better school system because of his insightful comments and questions that have helped us focus what we want to accomplish and describe our goals in terms of measurable results. His passion for providing a quality education to each student is obvious in what he says and what he does."
A personal highlight for Haas during his time on the board was being able to hand diplomas to each of his two sons when they graduated from Kelso High.
"Kelso is a community that takes pride in its schools," Haas said. "Serving on the board has been a positive personal growth experience."
Ruth Clark rejoined the board this past summer to fill a vacant position. She previously served on the board from 1971 to 1993, and is the namesake of the Ruth B. Clark Administration Building.
"We are so thankful to Ruth for volunteering her time and talents to help us in a pinch," said Superintendent Glenys Hill. "Kelso School District can always count on Ruth."
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