Retiring Lindbergh School Board Members 'Epitomize What a Board Member Should Be'

Lindbergh honored two retiring board members as their newly elected replacements took their places on the district’s board of education.

Karen Schuster and Kate Holloway were sworn in Tuesday night during the district’s board meeting at the Early Childhood Education Center. The two will serve three-year terms after voters elected the duo on April 3.

The board honored the service of Lindbergh staples Mark Rudoff and Kenneth Fey.

Rudoff was elected to the board in April 1999 and since then has served upon every position within the board, including board president from 2004 until 2008.

“He has been invaluable in his help and support to the district,” Board President Vic Lenz said of Rudoff. “He has made a lot of things happen.”

Rudoff thanked his wife Linda for her support and “having his back” while he attended 384 school board meetings along with numerous other events in his 13 years of service.

Rudoff added the darkest day of his tenure came during his first week on the board when shooting deaths of students at Columbine High School in Columbine spurred board members to re-examine Lindbergh’s own security.

He praised the district’s transformation in the past decade, noting excellence in character programs, extracurricular activities and additional gifted programs for all who qualify.

“It’s been a great run on the board…,” Rudoff said. “I’ve always relied upon the four A’s during my time on the board: Accountable, Accessible, Apolitical, and Always for Kids.”

The Lindbergh Alumni Association has also named Rudoff a “Distinguished Alumni,” and will erect a plaque within the Lindbergh High School commemorating his service.

Fey joined the board nine years ago in April 2003 and has also served on multiple board positions, including as president from 2008 until 2011.

“One person does not make a board…This is a huge team effort,” Fey said as he thanked members of faculty, staff and his family for their support.

Fey said he was often asked why he continued to devote his time on the school board. His response always centered upon the students, he said.

“All you have to do is in August of every year go into the elementary schools and watch Kindergarten students on the first day of school, and then in May hand out diplomas to young men and women as they complete their Lindbergh careers…and you know why you want to be a board member,” Fey said.

Lenz said the former board members’ example would serve as a legacy to future the Lindbergh district.

“Both (Rudolph and Fey) epitomize what a board member should be and why our board is strong, and why it will remain strong,” Lenz said.

The structure of the board will remain the same as members voted to keep Lenz as board president, Kathleen Kienstra as vice president, Donald Bee as secretary and Kara Gotsch as treasurer.