He said they never failed to explain important votes. “We didn’t always vote the same, but always respected the way someone voted. They all put kids first in decision-making,” he said.
Referring to the current president, Gifford said, “I came unto the board 12 years ago along with Todd Samuelson and he has been a rock throughout my service and is a great example of the kind of graduate that we produce here.” He added, “I look confidently to the future with his knowledge and leadership still on the board. I will certainly miss his wit and his passion for education done right.”
He also spoke highly of the past administrators and the current ones. He said, “From Dr. John Hill, Jack Davis, Pete Morikis to Dan Tyree and Rodger Smith, we have always had a great set of central administrators to work with who shared the concept of doing what is best for kids. With Dan and Rodger at the head, I know good things lie ahead.”
He called the building principals “superb.”
“They know what they are doing and what it takes to get the desired results out of both staff and students,” Gifford said.
He acknowledged that the teachers for the corporation have had to deal with changes.
“The teachers are hard-working and want the best out of the kids they teach,” he said. “They have had to face some amazing changes in the demographics of the kids they teach and are continually asked to retrain themselves in how to deal with change.”
He also praised the support staffs of the schools saying, “There is no question that our buildings are well maintained, that all support personnel do a great job and the success of the corporation lies in part to all of their dedicated work from the IT Department, to custodial staff, to aides and to volunteers.
Choking back his emotions, Gifford then thanked his family.
“My three kids have been extremely supportive of my service on the board, even when it meant missing all or part of their sport events or other activities because of a board meeting. I thank them for being understanding,” he said. “No one has been more supportive of me than my wife, Mary. I can tell you that there have been many times in the past 12 years that my service has been harder on her than on me. I thank her for her support as well as setting me straight several times on issues of public education. She continues to teach me every day on those as well as other issues.”
He also addressed newly elected board member Larry Holloway. Holloway will join the board in January.
Gifford said, “I wish nothing but the best to Larry Holloway as he takes my seat on the board. My wish is that he takes his many years of educational background and does everything in his power to make this corporation the very best that it can be from a different perspective than what he has served in before.”
Samuelson shared his thoughts as well. He said, “In 12 years, you have taught me a great deal — how to prepare and be prepared. I don‘t know how to thank you for all that.”
Board members Larry Pinkerton, Melissa Chris-tiansen and Frank Brubaker also thanked Gifford for his service.
Gifford was given an engraved clock in appreciation for his service.