The Columbian | Serving Clark County, Washington

When Tanis Knight and Ina Evers-Martin first began working in the Camas School District, the business office still used carbon paper and statewide curriculum standards hadn’t been established.

Computer labs and district offices with personal computers were years away. Instead, the business department used one terminal to input data.

When Knight and Evers-Martin were hired, the district’s 2,000 students were housed in two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.

That was 1984.

Now, the district boasts a student enrollment of 6,000. It has five elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. The schools have more than 1,800 computer work stations. The district, and state, have established curriculum guidelines.

On July 1, Knight, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, and Evers-Martin, business director, will begin their retirements after 26 years each with the district.

During the last two and a half decades, the pair helped expand course offerings and oversaw building project budgets. They’ve struggled to balance the district budget during an economic downturn and with dwindling state funds. And they’ve adapted to rapid growth; enrollment jumped by 9 percent in the 2003-04 school year.

Throughout all of the changes and challenges, Evers-Martin said her biggest accomplishments are the numerous building projects.

“Completing all those building projects and coming in under budget and giving the taxpayers what we promised them, I’ve taken great pride in that,” the 62-year-old said.

For Knight, setting the district’s curriculum and exit requirements ranks high on her list of achievements. In 1986, the district received a state Schools for the 21st Century grant to take on the task. Numerous schools in the state received funds, but Camas School District was the only district to receive money, Knight said.

“I felt like we were ahead of the pack,” said Knight, 58. “I think that really set us on the path for high achievement, and I think we’ve continued that.”

Technological advancements have also changed the education landscape. Now, in addition to classrooms and textbooks, the schools offer Web-based courses.

The district also offers more advanced programs, including numerous Advanced Placement courses and a science, math and technology magnet program that will graduate its first class next year.

But even with the advances, Knight said, some things never change.

“Even though you have access to all this technology, I think the ability to teach kids in reading and writing, to craft a well-written sentence, is just as important now as it was 26 years ago,” she said.

During those 26 years, the Camas residents have also watched their own children attend the local schools and graduate from Camas High School. Evers-Martin now has three granddaughters who are students in the district.

As they prepare to end their careers, both Evers-Martin and Knight admit the last few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster. But they also look forward to retirement, during which they plan to offer consulting services, travel with their husbands and spend time with their families.

“It’s just been an incredible experience,” Knight said. “I just think this is the best profession and the best job in the world.”

“The best job in the world,” Evers-Martin agreed.

Marissa Harshman: 360-735-4546 or marissa.harshman@columbian.com.

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