ST. GEORGE — Two Washington County school board members said goodbye and were honored at the monthly school board meeting on Dec. 13.
Board president Kelly Blake and Board member Laura Hesson gave hugs and shook hands as they ended their final school board meeting on that Tuesday evening.
This year, Hesson retired from the District 4 position, choosing not to run for re-election. Meanwhile, newly retired educator Burke Staheli outpolled Blake in the board elections for District 6.
Board Member David Stirland interjected the meeting before the Board Reports saying he had something to say while superintendent Larry Bergeson left his seat to grab a box.
“I think all of you need to understand the work they have done, our two members leaving the board,” Stirland said. “Combine those two, and they have about 36 years of service to the board.”
Bergeson unwrapped two school bells while Stirland continued giving honors to the two leaving.
“You won’t find two people who care more about students and their achievements and ability to succeed and giving them opportunities… They do hours and hours and hours of work and have in the past for the last 18 years individually,” Stirland said.
The board officially thanked them both for their service and took time to line up, shake their hands, and give hugs as Bergeson presented them with a school bell award and all posed for some pictures together.
Blake has been the president of the board for the last two years and has been president one other time. He was raised locally and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Southern Utah University with an emphasis in finance.
He has six children who all have been raised locally and attended the school district.
He has been the vice president of operations at SouthWest Community Federal Credit Union for over thirty years.
Mentioning some of his most memorable highlights while serving on the board, Blake said there were a lot. These included creating two new core sites and the new career and tech high school, which are some of his favorites.
He said the “opening of the Water Canyon cone site was very fulfilling,” and he holds those students and communities in a special place in his heart.
His last highlight was the capability to keep the kids in school during the pandemic.
“I am thankful to the citizens of the county for the opportunity to serve them and their children and for their trust for the last 18 yrs,” Blake said.
Hesson said before being on the board for the last 18 years, she started out by being part of the PTA and her own children’s education.
She decided to run for the board and was elected in 2004 when the school board expanded from 5 to 7 members.
Both she and Blake had to run for election in 2006 as the term limits and cycles of elections needed to be set correctly.
The biggest highlights of her service time were the implementation and continuation of Professional Learning Community schools.
“I strongly believe that we have accomplished extraordinary measures through our continued implementation of PLCs,” Hesson said. “We have determined that best practice is to work together to find ways to help every student succeed.”
Her other highlights were the ability to speak at her children’s graduations.
Hesson thanked everyone who has played a part in the success of the district. She compared everyone to the trim tab on a boat. A small part, but it plays a critical part in the movement of the boat. They provide lift to compensate for changes in speed, weight distribution, and water conditions, helping maintain the course.
“I have always believed that one person can and does make a difference,” Hesson said. “We need everyone pulling together, including the community, as a whole, to create the best learning environment possible for our students.”
As a final statement to the public, Hesson expressed an emotional side of love and the immense joy she felt while on the board.
“I would thank all of those who have supported me, especially my family, as I’ve worked to help make Washington County School District a leader in the state and in the country,” Hesson said. “I have been able to rub shoulders with incredible people who are dedicated to improving student achievement. It has been an honor to serve in this capacity.”
Nannette Simmons and Burke Staheli will be sworn in for their replacements at the monthly school board meeting on Jan. 10, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. at the school district building on Tabernacle St.
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