Forest Grove School Board names Joseph Gale library for outgoing director Kate Grandusky

The Forest Grove School Board honored outgoing Director Kate Grandusky at its June 9 meeting, dedicating the new library at Joseph Gale Elementary School as the "Kate Grandusky Library." Directors met inside the new library for the dedication. The June 9 dedication was first reported by the Forest Grove News-Times. The Forest Grove School Board met June 9 in the new Joseph Gale Elementary library and honored Kate Grandusky. Images courtesy Forest Grove School District. Grandusky, a Gales Creek resident, announced her resignation at the board's May 26 meeting after serving since 2011. Her resignation took effect June 10 as she immigrates to New Zealand. Her seat will be filled by appointment. Those interested must submit an application to the district by Wednesday, June 17, just two days away. Application details are posted on the district's website. Board members are expected to review candidates from June 19 to 22, interview them June 23 and vote the same day to appoint someone to serve the final year of the term. In a Facebook post, the district said the new library honors Grandusky's advocacy for libraries and for "students learning the joy of reading." Outgoing state Sen. Janeen Sollman was among the local leaders who paid tribute. Sollman wrote in her June 12 newsletter that she attended the meeting to "bid a fond farewell" to Grandusky. "Director Grandusky has been a champion for literacy and for Gales Creek Elementary (my elementary school) during her 15 years of service on the board and will be missed," Sollman wrote. First elected in 2011, Grandusky came onto the board in the wake of the closure of Gales Creek Elementary School, a cost-saving move bitterly fought by Gales Creek residents. Reopening the school as a neighborhood elementary was a central goal of her campaigns. Video of the full June 9 board meeting is posted on YouTube.