After serving on the Lake Dallas school board 19 years, president Sandra Drusch says she’s stepping down.
A reception in her honor is slated for 4:30 p.m. today in the district’s boardroom at the Support Services Building, 104 Swisher Road in Lake Dallas.
Drusch said she and her husband recently sold their Corinth home and have purchased another home in Flower Mound. Her new residency makes her ineligible to serve on the board.
“Being on the board is a real labor of love,” she said. “It’s hard to step down, but I feel like I’m leaving the district in good hands.”
She added the district has a “wonderful superintendent” and administrative staff “and they’re leading us in the right direction.”
The school board is expected to appoint someone to Drusch’s seat, a term up for election in 2014, and elect officers at today’s 5:30 p.m. board meeting.
Superintendent Gayle Stinson in an e-mail said Drusch has served the students, staff and the district with “passion and integrity.” She said she would miss Drusch, whom she considers a mentor and friend.
“Her knowledge of curriculum and instruction is powerful, and she has been a leader for our board of trustees as well as the district holistically,” Stinson wrote. “Not only has she fulfilled years of service on our district board of trustees, but she has also been an integral part of the Lake Cities Education Foundation and, along with her husband, Pete Drusch, a leader in the community via the Lake Cities Chamber of Commerce. She loves kids and she loves teachers and, for that, I have immense respect for her.”
Drusch said she joined the board at a time when the district attempted to call a bond election to build a new high school. A stay-at-home mother at the time, she said she ran for the board to see that project come to fruition.
The bond on its first attempt didn’t pass, she said, and the board learned from that. Every bond since has been successful. One of her fondest moments on the board, she said, was the groundbreaking for the high school.
She said in her time on the board she’s seen the district change greatly. Drusch said she’s seen it grow, and has witnessed changes in population, the needs of students, student demographics, state requirements, college and career readiness skills and school finance.
One of the fun parts about her time on the board, she said, was observing teachers’ dedication to education and helping schoolchildren.
Carol Jula, a Lake Dallas school board member, this week wrote about Drusch’s “commendable leadership style.”
“She has served on the board for over 18 years, throughout her tenure and even today she symbolizes dynamism,” Jula wrote. “Sandy has possessed the right attitude and disposition in leading our team. Her expertise will be greatly missed.”
BRITNEY TABOR can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is btabor@dentonrc.com .
