School Board, District Staff Honor Bruce Anderson

After nine years on the Windham School Board, Dr. Bruce Anderson doesn't know if he'll take another shot at running for office.

But spotlight or not, Anderson delivered a simple message Tuesday regarding the challenges that face the Windham School District – don't give up.

Anderson said the dozens of people involved with the high school project never did.

"Everybody knows the challenges that we had, but the key to that success was all the board members during that time period and almost 70 people that served on those committees – no one ever gave up," he said.

The emotional Anderson was recognized at the Windham School Board meeting for his service to the town.

The Chicago native explained how sitting on the school board has given more to him than anything he ever could have given to the town and students.

"One of the great things you take away from this board is the friendships that you build and I consider all of those people to be my friends," Anderson said of his former colleagues.

Anderson spoke about how his parents didn't get to go to college, and instead sacrificed and made sure their kids did.

He thanked his wife Gina, who was in attendance, above all else, for understanding why he had to put in the time commitments to the board that he did.

Anderson said that he will remain committed to organizations such as Windham Endowment, which worked to produce a wind turbine and solar panels at Windham High School. Anderson and his wife provided a sizable donation to that effort.

All five of the current school board members offered brief remarks for Anderson.

Regular member Michelle Farrell delivered a speech to kick off the ceremony, which included the presentation of a plaque to Anderson.

She detailed Anderson's long tenure, where she said he worked with three superintendents and 15 school board members, opened both a high school and kindergarten, participated in facilities master planning and applauded teacher, student and staff accomplishments.

"In all of Bruce's actions, he lives by this belief, that education is the great equalizer," said Farrell, referring to a quote that Anderson once offered from Horace Mann.

"Bruce always puts the best interests of the students first," she added. "Bruce always listened carefully to both sides of the story before making his decision."

Board member Stephanie Wimmer recalled a moment with Anderson several years ago, where during a community controversy he said "at the end of the day we are all neighbors in a small town."

"I know that you believe that and it's kind of the principle that I work with," said Wimmer to Anderson.

Defeating Anderson in the March 12 election was Dennis Senibaldi, who told Anderson that he appreciated his work for the kids in the community.

"I said this to a lot of people during the campaign – one thing I always believed Bruce, I truly believe and know that Bruce always cared about the community and kids," said Senibaldi.

Former board member Dr. Jeff Bostic praised Anderson for remaining enthusiastic even about the small things during his tenure, such as the controversy over school colors.

"I want to amplify that it was always those small things where that passion was every bit as indicative, said Bostic.

Another former board member, Barbara Coish, got some laughter from the room when she joked that she and Anderson now have a special bond – they have both lost two elections.

But she gave Anderson a kiss on the cheek as she praised the new high school that they both helped bring to the town.

"We delivered a beautiful building which is alive now with the daily buzzing sounds of our high school students and teachers," said Coish.

Superintendent LaBranche talked about how close he and Anderson became over the last two years.

"I have the greatest respect for your integrity and your absolute undying devotion to doing what's in the best interest to all kids all the time," said LaBranche.

Other former school board members Al Letizio, Jr., Mike Hatem and Ed Gallagher couldn't attend the meeting but left emails for Farrell to read into the record.

Letizio told Anderson that he has set the bar high for others. Gallagher said that it was worth working on the board to get the opportunity to meet folks like Anderson. Hatem said that Anderson "unselfishly gave untold months of his life" trying to make the Windham schools the best they could be.