Los Alamos Middle School Principal Rex Kilburn remarks at how much he and Gerry Washburn do NOT look alike. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Gerry Washburn receives a pillow from teacher Bernadette Ziomek and her 5th grade class. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Gerry and Audrey Washburn. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Staff Report
The community turned out with members of Los Alamos Public Schools to say good-bye Thursday to Assistant Superintendent Gerry Washburn and his wife Audrey.
The farewell event was celebrated in the gymnasium at Mountain Elementary School where Washburn served as principal for several years before moving up to the Central Office. He and his wife are moving in July to Oregon where he has been hired to lead the Roseburg School District.
Washburn moved to Los Alamos from Santa Rosa in 1984 to work at Los Alamos National Bank. He began coaching at the schools in 1995 and began working for the district in 1996. He has served as assistant superintendent since 2013. His other administrative positions at LAPS have included director of Human Resources for a year and elementary school principal for three years. He taught elementary school and coached at Los Alamos and at Pojoaque Valley Schools for 10 years. In 2000, he was named New Mexico’s 4A Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.
“I hope I’ve made a positive impact on the students and consider it an honor and privilege to be associated with Los Alamos Public Schools,” Washburn said in an earlier interview. “It’s going to be hard to leave our friends and extended family here but we look forward to this new opportunity.”
Roseburg School District has a student population of 6,200 pupils and is comprised of nine elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. The City of Roseburg is about 65 miles from the Pacific Coast at an elevation of 465 feet and has a population of 22,275 people.
Gerry Washburn takes a minute to gather his composure during Thursday’s emotional farewell event. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Gerry and Audrey Washburn with their immediate family. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
School Board Member Jenny McCumber, left, and Mountain Principal Jennifer Guy wait to take turns on the microphone. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Audrey Washburn speaks with a friend. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Friends and colleagues don ties to honor Gerry Washburn. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
More friends and colleagues don ties to honor Gerry Washburn. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Audrey Washburn shares a laugh with Morrie Pongrantz. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
High school students show up to wish the Washburns farewell. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Gerry Washburn chats with a friend at Thursday’s farewell celebration. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Some of the ties used to honor Gerry Washburn. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Mountain Elementary School students write cards for Gerry Washburn’s farewell party. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
