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School district board members say they won't seek re-election
By Alexander Rich, Staff Writer
Thursday, March 15, 2007 | No comments posted.
For the first time since 1989, the names Steve Bowman and Thomas Bennett will be absent from South Coast school board election ballots. Combined, the two men have logged 45 years of attending late night board meetings, hiring new school administrators and watching thousands of students graduate and move on.
Now, it is their turn to say goodbye.
“I have had 18 marvelous years of involvement at the board level with an excellent school district,” said Bennett on Tuesday of his time in Coos Bay. “Our district is in excellent shape with excellent board members.”
Bowman has served even longer, having joined the Port Orford-Langlois School District in 1980 before moving to a seat on the South Coast Educational Service District board in 1984. A combination of fatigue and frustration prompted Bowman to step aside.
“I think it's time for me to go out and let some others handle the coming issues,” he said. “The board, right now, it's not a very appreciative board of what's being done at ESD at the present time.”
Bowman noted that members may soon arrive on the ESD board in a different manner and with a correspondingly different attitude.
“There is legislation at the state that will have people appointed to the board,” he said. “The ESD (board) should be more professional and should have local experience. So if they are appointed, you will have better board members with some history.
“I've enjoyed the involvement and I've enjoyed learning about education in the state,” he said. “I've had a good run.”
With the announcement of Superintendent Karen Fischer Gray's resignation on Monday, Bennett said it was the right time for him to bow out, too.
“Last night, it was a good meeting,” he said. “It's a good time for me to move on to other civic activities. I want to leave on a high note and I am optimistic about some other candidates stepping forward.”
Bowman said he had no specific plans for his new-found free time.
“I will probably read a lot,” he said.
Bennett said he plans to be more active in the Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary Club.
“I also want to work harder to help resolve hunger issues in our community,” he said.
Now, it is their turn to say goodbye.
“I have had 18 marvelous years of involvement at the board level with an excellent school district,” said Bennett on Tuesday of his time in Coos Bay. “Our district is in excellent shape with excellent board members.”
Bowman has served even longer, having joined the Port Orford-Langlois School District in 1980 before moving to a seat on the South Coast Educational Service District board in 1984. A combination of fatigue and frustration prompted Bowman to step aside.
“I think it's time for me to go out and let some others handle the coming issues,” he said. “The board, right now, it's not a very appreciative board of what's being done at ESD at the present time.”
Bowman noted that members may soon arrive on the ESD board in a different manner and with a correspondingly different attitude.
“There is legislation at the state that will have people appointed to the board,” he said. “The ESD (board) should be more professional and should have local experience. So if they are appointed, you will have better board members with some history.
“I've enjoyed the involvement and I've enjoyed learning about education in the state,” he said. “I've had a good run.”
With the announcement of Superintendent Karen Fischer Gray's resignation on Monday, Bennett said it was the right time for him to bow out, too.
“Last night, it was a good meeting,” he said. “It's a good time for me to move on to other civic activities. I want to leave on a high note and I am optimistic about some other candidates stepping forward.”
Bowman said he had no specific plans for his new-found free time.
“I will probably read a lot,” he said.
Bennett said he plans to be more active in the Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary Club.
“I also want to work harder to help resolve hunger issues in our community,” he said.
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