Retired educator Don Wiitala replaces Lord on Longview School Board

Wiitala retired from the district 16 years ago but has remained active on district committees. Most recently, he worked on the publicity committee for the proposed $121.6 million bond that voters narrowly rejected in November.

Superintendent Dan Zorn stressed the quality of all the candidates, but he said Wiitala stood out because he “brings a package of experience and understanding” to the board position. Terry Morris, Betty Trembley and Norma McKittrick also were considered.

Wittala will have to run for office in two years if he wants to retain the position.

The new board member worked for the Longview School District for 30 years. In 1972, he moved from his native Montana to serve as a distributive education teacher at Mark Morris. In the mid-1980s he acted as an assistant principal at Cascade Middle School before continuing that same role at Mark Morris. During his last year with the district in 2002, he was the principal at MM.

Since retiring, Wiitala has served on several district committees, acted as a substitute principal, and designed websites for the district and its schools. Most recently, he was involved in the district’s campaign for a $121.6 million bond, even designing a campaign website. Had it passed, the largest bond measure in district history would have rebuilt Mint Valley, Northlake and Olympic elementary schools.

The board this month will start to revisit the facilities issue.

Wiitala said the bond fell just short of passage due to a failure to communicate with the public. In particular, he said that the board should clarify that the district has maintained its buildings over the years, but it would be more costly to repair Mint Valley, Northlake and Olympic elementary schools than to construct new buildings with a bond paid off over time.

Wiitala also said the district needs to make the distinction clearer between a bond, which pays for major construction projects, and a maintenance and operations levy, which funds athletics, special ed., transportation elective courses, food services and maintenance and operation costs.

Wiitala supports Superintendent Dan Zorn’s focus on literacy, labeling it “the right avenue” to better Longview schools. But evaluating the success of the schools goes a lot further than standardized testing. Wiitala believes students should be taught the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behavior needed to reach “the next level,” whether it be college, trade school or the workforce.