As he traveled in Central America on a small boat with his wife earlier this month, Hockinson School District Superintendent Michael Grubbs had an epiphany.
Grubbs, 66, decided during his 10-day vacation through Honduras and Guatemala that, after a career in education that spanned 31 years across four states, it was time to retire. Grubbs made his decision public Thursday morning after notifying the school board Tuesday night.
“I realized on the trip life has other things to offer,” he said, adding he planned to do some personal reflection this summer before deciding on his next step.
Grubbs will remain as superintendent until June 30. Hockinson School District plans to hire Grubbs’ replacement before his last day, officials said.
Grubbs came to Hockinson in the summer of 2009 after serving six years as superintendent at Green Mountain School District. He replaced acting Superintendent Margaret Bates, who had filled in after the district’s acrimonious parting with the previous superintendent.
The school board hired him knowing that he would be a short-term superintendent, said Eileen Logan, chairwoman of the Hockinson school board. Grubbs had indicated he planned to retire after a few years due to his age.
Upon taking over, Grubbs focused on re-establishing leadership within the school district, while also offering employees positive reinforcement when they did good work, he said.
“He’s very good with people, especially all the employee groups,” Logan said. “He made it important to spend time with them and hear what everybody needed to say.”
Hockinson achieved Adequate Yearly Progress in all areas during Grubbs’ tenure, maintained the region’s highest graduation rate, kept the budget balanced following the recession and signed a three-year contract with the district’s certificated staff, according to district officials.
His goal now is making the next superintendent’s transition as smooth as possible.
Hockinson School District encompasses a 47-square-mile swatch of rural and suburban land southeast of Battle Ground and north of Camas along the foothills of the Cascade mountain range. Around 1,900 students are enrolled in the K-12 district.
The district has seen enrollment declines due to the recession, Grubbs said. Many of the area’s nicer houses and properties stand empty because people cannot afford them.
“I’m optimistic about the future of (the school district) but I want to have some retirement time,” Grubbs said.
Grubbs mentioned traveling more and starting a third career as a counselor — his first career was as a lawyer in Las Vegas — as possible retirement options. He and his wife, Dee, have two adult sons but no grandchildren.
“I’m not going to sit on the couch and check out of life,” he assured.
Educational Service District 112 will provide support for Hockinson’s search process. Melissa Kreuder at 360-750-7503 or melissa.kreuder@esd112.org has more information on the job.
