An interview with Sue McKie
Sue McKie served on the DC West Board of Education from 2006-2018 and also served on the Waterloo Board of Education in 2004. We sat down with Sue to hear more about her board experiences.
What has been your favorite thing about being a board member?
Top three things:
- Graduation – being among the first to congratulate students on their graduation.
- Seeing improvements being made to the district – facilities, curriculum, staff
- People I have met: students, staff, administration, parents and community members.
What has been your motivation for continuing to serve the district and communities?
- Our vision for improvements and “keeping the ball rolling."
- Changes in top administration – hoping to help provide continuity and history. I have had the pleasure to work with five different superintendents and interim superintendents, new principals and a variety of Board Members during the twelve years.
- Keeping the “vision” active has been … interesting, challenging, and heartwarming.
What have been the challenges in serving on the Board?
When incorrect info circulates in the community causing controversy, the challenge was knowing how to help avoid these situations.
What are you most proud of during your term of service?
Improvements to the district in terms of curriculum, technology and facilities and continued growth of the district.
Do you have a parting message for students, staff, parents, and communities?
Our community has an awesome school district in DC West, the “private public school” and “the best kept secret in western Douglas County” as we (the Board Of Education) have fondly called it over the years, but we cannot leave it at that. We have to continue to strive to be better. What was “good enough” for us has to be better for our children so they can survive in today’s world.
Volunteerism has always been a great help to all districts. The level of volunteerism continues to decline everywhere. If our district could get each parent to commit to just one hour of volunteer time per year, what an advantage our district would have!
It has been my pleasure and an honor to serve our district. I will remember fondly all the people I have had the pleasure to meet and work with during my time on the Board Of Education.
You've played an active role in many groups in our community. What are some that stand out for you?
Waterloo PTO/Valley PTA/PTSA, DC West PTSA : 1990 - 2010
Daisy, Brownie, and Cadette Girl Scout Troop Leaders: 1996 - 2002
Boy Scouts: Troop Volunteer and “Popcorn Colonel”: 1994 - 2002
Church Youth Group Leader: 2006 – 2010
Sue McKie has given endlessly to DC West and our communities and she is a tremendous advocate for education and a honorable servant. We will miss having her on the Board of Education. Thank you Sue for your years of service to our school district!
