For 16 years I have had the privilege to serve and represent you as a school board member. The experience has been challenging, rewarding and humbling; and with tremendous help from so many of you I know I am leaving the Tahoma School District in better shape than when I was first elected.

Personally, I found my experience enriched by the commitment, diversity, and professionalism of the board and the dedication of countless volunteers. Though we did not always see eye-to-eye, we nevertheless worked through the differences and the issues by focusing on improving the school district for those we serve. Through mutual respect, diligence, a sense of humor and hard work all of us – especially our students – have benefited.

No single person can lay claim to the many accomplishments made through my tenure—certainly not me. We all made a difference by making the most of opportunities and resolving problems. Without your support, the support of my wife, the teachers, administrators, bus drivers, custodians, paraeducators, specialists, office staff, volunteers, fellow board members and patrons nothing would have been possible.

One thing I have witnessed is every time the board added a new member we developed a new personality that reflects the combined makeup of our individual board members. This always gave the board and the Tahoma School District system an opportunity to adapt and adjust (practice being a lifelong learner) and we always kept the focus on the betterment of the system as a whole.

So what have we accomplished? The list includes: the selection of a superintendent; resolution of numerous boundary changes; resolution of the transportation center saga; execution of multi-million dollar capital bond expenditures; handling of multiple levy campaigns; management of the Tahoma 2000 committee, land sales and acquisitions; implementation of new technology solutions in the schools; offices and classrooms; handling fund balances, building maintenance opportunities; implementation of dress-code policy changes; and oh, did I mention the transportation center saga?; and who could forget our most recent budget adjustment experience from last year.

I know I am a better person because of the time I have spent serving you. I also believe the district is in a better place than it was 16 years ago. Not because of me, but because of our willingness to work together as a whole school board and whole school system. Our ability to work together to serve our children and continue to reflect the community’s values is demonstrated by what I leave behind.

Thanks for the opportunity

Joe Vreeburg

Hobart