Board also notes retirement of Lyn Geronimi

The South Whidbey Board of Education accepted a resignation from one of their own and honored the recent retirement of a beloved teacher during Monday night’s business meeting.

Lyn Geronimi, a fifth-grade teacher, retired after 17 years of teaching at the Intermediate School. Board members and Superintendent Fred McCarthy honored the veteran teacher.

Geronimi officially retired at the end of the school year last spring, but was recognized by the board at this week’s meeting.

“Lyn has been dedicated and committed to education much of his life. We are proud that he served the South Whidbey School District for 17 of his 39 years as a teacher,” said Rich Parker

Geronimi joked as he walked to the front of the Community Room that it was time “to get his gold watch.”

Instead he was presented with a red marble apple and a card signed by district staff.

Geronimi said he enjoyed his years teaching at the Intermediate School and he said he appreciated working with his fellow teachers.

“My students have all been great kids,” Geronimi said.

“There is a teacher for everyone at the Intermediate School. There wasn’t a lazy bone there,” he added. “All the teachers put in was time above and beyond what was required.”

The board also accepted the resignation of Greg Gilles, a school board member from District 2.

Gilles, a home builder, resigned due to an increased work load in his contracting business.

Gilles was elected to the position in 2003.

“The demands of my work are not allowing me to spend the time I feel is required for this position,” Gilles wrote in his resignation letter.

Gilles said he was proud to have played a part in several important achievements during the last three years, including the district’s progress on financial stability and improved morale among district staff members during the interim term of superintendent Bob Brown. Gilles said he was proud to have been part of the selection process for new superintendent Fred McCarthy.

The board is accepting applications for Gilles’ seat.

Interested persons should complete a one-page summary on why they want to be a school board member and also list the qualifications they have to be an effective school board member.

The new board member will serve until November 2007.

Candidates for this position must be registered voters in South Whidbey and reside in District No. 2, which includes Cultus Bay, Skachet Head, Maxwelton, Mills Drive, Hillis Drive, Useless Bay Avenue and Deer Lagoon.

Send applications to South Whidbey School District, Attn: Sue Terhar, PO Box 346 Langley.

For more information, call 221-6100. Board applications and district boundaries are available on the school district Website at www.sw.wednet.edu.

Gayle Saran can be reached at 221-5300 or gsaran@southwhidbeyrecord.com.