Bend-La Pine Schools salute classified employees

Bend-La Pine Schools is celebrating its more than 800 classified employees this week during National Classified School Employees Week, March 6 -10. Classified employees help support schools and students in a wide range of roles: they drive buses, prepare and serve meals, greet visitors, keep books, assist in classrooms, mow lawns, shovel snow, maintain and assist with technology and much more.

“Our classified employees deserve recognition for their dedication and for the outstanding support they offer every day to our schools and students,” said Superintendent Shay Mikalson. “These employees are often the unsung heroes of our schools, which is why we want to take this week to let them know how much we appreciate all they do.”

Every year, Bend-La Pine Schools honors one classified employee for his or her outstanding performance. This year Jamie Gunter, an educational assistant from La Pine High School, was named Outstanding Support Person for Bend-La Pine Schools. Gunter was honored specifically for her work with the high school’s online education program. She helps students recover credits and take expanded course options through Bend-La Pine Online.

La Pine High School Principal Matt Montgomery believes Gunter’s work is instrumental is helping students graduate. “Every year there are probably 10 or 15 kids that walk across the stage that — the direct reason why they graduated was the work that Jamie’s done with those students and their families,” said Montgomery.

Other classified employees who were honored for their outstanding work this year include: Marta Broberg, attendance secretary at Pacific Crest Middle School; Karen Kromer-Foster, office manager at Rosland Elementary School; Kristen McGee, office manager at R.E. Jewell Elementary School; Mara Stephens, the district’s homeless liaison; Janelle Wilcox, educational assistant at Buckingham Elementary School; and Dana Wilson, a building maintenance manager with the Maintenance Department.