Tumwater superintendent's retirement too soon, district educators say

VENICE BUHAIN; The Olympian | • Published September 25, 2009

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TUMWATER - Terry Borden, who once put off retirement to become the superintendent of the Tumwater School District, will retire from that post in June, he announced Thursday.

“I had no idea that I’d fall in love with the job,” Borden said of the position he took on when then-superintendent Nick Brossoit left Tumwater for Edmonds in 2004. “I saw that we could really make a difference in student learning.”

Borden said that the Tumwater district’s ability to raise its assessment scores shows that the district is headed in a good direction, set in place by its strategic plan.

“When I became acting superintendent, I saw that this was going to be a long process,” he said. “Things are in place now, with the staff in place who are committed” to the district’s direction.

Borden, who will turn 65 next month, has been with the district since 1986, when he became the principal at Littlerock Elementary School.

Before that, he worked in Eastern Washington. He also has been the principal at Saint Michael School and in the Tenino School District.

Suzanne Hall, executive director of student learning, said she had hoped Borden would put off retirement for another year because of his encouraging nature and focus on learning.

“You never leave Terry not feeling happier than when you went into his office. He’s very good with encouragement,” Hall said.

Terry VanMeter, a teacher at East Olympia Elementary and the president of the Tumwater Education Association, cited Borden’s fairness and honesty during difficult financial times for the district.

“He’s very honest. We may not always agree, but he tells you the truth. And he’s a superintendent who believes in letting people speak their mind,” VanMeter said.

“I consider Terry a role model to me,” VanMeter said. “He’s been helpful to me and supportive, with my work as a teacher and with my work on the association.”

In 2004, Borden was named acting superintendent when Brossoit resigned, and he then was appointed permanently to the position from a field of more than 30 applicants.

All the applicants, including Borden, were interviewed by the board and at community forums, according to The Olympian’s archives. Wood said he expects this search to also have a process involving the public.

Borden said he plans to spend more time with his family and with his hobbies. His wife, Joanne, retired from teaching at East Olympia Elementary three years ago.

“I hate to see him go. On the other hand, I respect his need to do that and spend more time doing what he wants to do,” Board President Jay Wood said.

Wood said the board hopes to find a replacement who can carry on the district’s direction.

The board will meet Friday to discuss the hiring process, which will involve a search firm to seek candidates nationally and regionally, he said.

“If someone in the district wants to apply, they are going to have to go through the process just like everyone else, just like Terry did,” Wood said.

Venice Buhain: 360-754-5445

vbuhain@theolympian.com

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