Washburn school dedicated to former superintendent

    WASHBURN – A great honor was recently bestowed upon former SAD 45 superintendent David Lyon as the Washburn District Elementary School was dedicated in his name.

Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
    David Lyon,  left, shakes hands with Mike McIntosh, SAD 45 school board chair, during a dedication ceremony held Oct. 22 in which the elementary school was formally renamed the David J. Lyon Washburn District Elementary School. Lyon was a former superintendent in the district.

    Now known as the David J. Lyon Washburn District Elementary School, a special dedication ceremony was held Oct. 22 recognizing Lyon for his many years of educational leadership in the district.
    “When you’re in different schools, you realize that school climate is an important thing,” said Superintendent Ed Buckley. “This is a school where kids come to learn. If you watch this school, you never see a teacher raise their voice to a child and Dave helped foster that climate.
    “Two years ago, the district brought Dave back to help out with some financial problems, and in a couple of weeks we’ll make the final payment on the school,” he said. “Dave set up a budget that worked, and while cuts go on and on from the restructuring, we’re not only dedicating the school, but we’re getting a school that’s paid for. We owe Dave a debt of gratitude.”
    Mike McIntosh, school board chair, said honoring Lyon is also a way to honor staff, students and taxpayers.
    “This is an appropriate and long overdue action,” he said. “He was instrumental in rebuilding the elementary school following a 1988 fire, and did so with a sense of humor and a sense of perspective that made it look easy. During Dave’s tenure, Washburn district schools routinely scored in the top 20 in the state.
    “One of the things that struck me about Dave is that at every school board meeting, he would ask, ‘How will this affect the students?’” McIntosh said. “He’s made it clear over the years that the students come first.”
    McIntosh said the community entrusted Lyon with $300,000 “to solve our problems.”
    “He made his imprint on our children, and through that, will affect generations to come,” he said. “I hope by putting his name on the building will set an example and goal for educators from this day forward.”
    Former principal and superintendent Larry Hallowell had high praise for Lyon, as well.
    “David was an excellent educator, a great superintendent, but most of all, he was a wonderful friend,” he said. “After my contract as principal was signed, he pretty much left me alone to decide what to do with the high school. He trusted me to do my job and I appreciated that.
    “Since we’ve both retired, we’ve become very good friends,” said Hallowell. “While we don’t have many common interests, we sure enjoy each others’ company. This recognition is richly deserved. Congratulations, Bubba.”
    In addressing the audience, which included his family, friends and former colleagues, an emotional Lyon said he didn’t know if the occasion would be a sad or happy time.
    “It’s both,” he said. “I’d like to thank everyone I’ve been associated with in SAD 45. I’ve had a good run in education and even taught fourth-grade. Probably the saddest thing that happened was when the school burned, and the happiest was when we rebuilt. I have a lot of fond memories from my time with the district, and I thank all of you for your support.”