Longtime Griffin board member resigns

LISA PEMBERTON

Griffin School Board member Neil Falkenburg has resigned from his elected position, saying he’s ready to step aside for new leadership.

“I was so impressed by the energy and enthusiasm at the Griffin auction back in September, I thought it’s a good time,” he said. “The district is in great hands, has solid footing financially, and we just completed contract negotiations. I kind of made myself a deal that if we got all of that done … then it was time.”

Falkenburg, 53, of the Steamboat Island community near Olympia, took office in December 2001. During his tenure, all three of his kids attended and graduated from the 650-student, K-8 district.

Falkenburg was a key leader in the school’s modernization and addition project in 2003, and served on the district’s assessment, technology, school finance and personnel committees.

“I truly cherished my time on the Griffin School Board,” he said. “It was an amazing experience.”

Griffin Principal-Superintendent Greg Woods said Falkenburg “epitomizes what a board member should be” and is leaving on a good note.

“He was always an advocate for the district and made decisions guided by policy,” Woods said. “His leadership guided Griffin through many challenging initiatives, and I cannot personally thank him enough for what he was done for me professionally, and I will always consider him a friend.”

The district is accepting applications for the position through Jan. 2. Applicants or nominees must live within the district’s boundaries and be registered to vote.

The appointee will serve in the position until it expires in November 2013, said district spokeswoman Kelli Anderson.

Lisa Pemberton: 360-754-5433 lpemberton@theolympian.com www.theolympian.com