Later in the evening, they dealt with "school bored" business such as debt service funds and bond sales.

But for two hours before their Nov. 7 regular meeting, three retiring, long-time Highline School Board members heard a litany of thank yous from parents, students, community members, administrators, principals, teachers and board colleagues.

It was the last regular board meeting for Tom Slattery, who has served 16 years, as well as Phyllis Byers and Matt Pina, who both joined the board eight years ago.

Newly elected board members Silvi Savusa, Bernie Dorsey and Michael Spear will be sworn in Dec. 12. Spear, who is Pina's nephew, will occupy his seat. Matt Pina followed his dad, Ed, onto the board in 1999.

Several speakers said the departing board members helped the district regain the support of the community.

Board vice president Julie Burr Spani said as a gift to the retiring board members she pledged to concentrate on the special focuses they brought to the board.

Spani noted Pina acted like a project manager on programs, Byers emphasized good customer service and cultural competency, and Slattery was "a voice for those who are not being heard."

Perhaps the most emotional moment came when Slattery's adult son, Reed, noted he was speaking to tell his father "how proud I am of you and all the work you've done for the school district and White Center."

All three board members thanked their spouses and family.

Pina termed the tributes "extremely humbling.

"When you partner up with a superintendent and staff, moving forward together allows us to knock down barriers," Pina declared.

Byers gave her top 10 reasons she enjoyed being a board members, topped off by seeing high school graduations.

Slattery said the job of the board is "to make sure the schools are ready for the kids."