Thank You, Marty and Russell!

Above: Wyndi Bonvillain, Russell and Jennifer Starns, Melissa and Marty Guilbeau, and Jon Simmons at the CCSS December School Board meeting

By Dave Freneaux

    Marty Guilbeau & Russell Starns have worked for more than ten years to help create what is now the Central Community School System.  After being appointed by the Governor to serve on the original School Board, they were elected and remained on the School Board through 2010.  Monday night marked their final School Board meeting as elected Members, but they each expressed that they are still committed and available to do whatever is needed to serve the students of Central.  Both Guilbeau and Starns opted not to run for re-election to the School Board earlier this year.  During the meeting both Mr. Starns and Mr. Guilbeau were recognized by Superintendent Faulk for their contributions and service to the Central Community School System.  Russell Starns served as the President of the Board from its inception through 2008.

    Jon Simmons, who with his wife Kristy was amongst the original group pressing for Central to have its own school system, spoke and gave testimony to the dedication and passion of Marty Guilbeau and for the encouragement and support of his wife Melissa.  Wyndi Bonvillian, yet another of those who worked tirelessly from the beginning of the effort, spoke and gave tribute to Russell Starns for his unrelenting pursuit of Central's School System, which would not have been possible without the dedication of his wife Jennifer.