KELSEYVILLE — The flag over the Kelseyville Unified School flies at half-mast in honor this week as a tribute to former student Ashlee Rodrigues, former teacher Christine Hanson, and Debbie McCloud, the wife of longtime district custodian Scott McCloud.
The gesture was approved by the Kelseyville Unified School Board of Trustees and initiated by former School Board President Gary Olson, who said “We all grieve the loss of these three fine women who tragically passed away recently. We will miss them greatly.”
The decision to lower the flag was brought before the school board by Olson on Aug. 23, when they did not even have the new flag pole erected. Olson said Principal Matt Cockerton then contacted the head of the maintenance department, Kyle Reams, who was able to get the new flag pole erected in order to fly the flag at half-mast by Aug. 26, the same day the celebration of life memorial service was held for Rodrigues.
“I couldn”t be at the services due to previous commitments and I thought it would be a nice gesture to remember them,” said Olson, who explained he resigned as board president last Friday, Aug. 25, because his wife was offered an employment contract with the school as an intervention resource teacher.
Although happy for his wife, Olson said, “It was bittersweet for me,” and he added that, “One of the last items on which I worked was getting the flag to fly at half-mast.” According to Olson, he may run again in November of 2007.
Contact Cynthia Davis at cdavis@record-bee.com.
