School Board President writes letter to seniors

A note from Superintendent Dr. Scott Deisley: It is nearly impossible to encapsulate a life in a few words. It is even more difficult to capture the impact and contributions of Jeff Fix to the Red Lion Area School District. A few days after the senior high prom, Mr. Fix wrote an open letter to the students of the senior high. I think his words best sum up his love for this district and our students.

Dear RLASH Students:

I am often asked why I would want to serve on our school board.  There are many long meetings, complex issues that must be resolved, balancing our budget with limited tax dollars…and we don’t get paid to do it!  But I think I can speak on behalf of the entire board, both past and present, that the opportunity to serve YOU, our students, and assure that you get the best education possible is well worth the effort.

We are constantly reminded of the outstanding things you do.  Whether it’s your academic accomplishments, the excellence you achieve in music, athletics, and other extracurriculars or the many ways you give back to our community.  Mini-THON and the Habitat House are two great examples of how you go way above and beyond what is expected.
In my nearly eight years on school board, there have been countless occasions when I have been overwhelmed with pride in your accomplishments, but perhaps never more so than on the evening of April 25th.  Each year, you select a Prom Queen and King who always represent the very best of who we are at Red Lion.  And this year, you did so again by selecting Lauren Bankard and Cody Woods.  Both are great kids and very special people.

In addition to being special in the general sense, Cody is uniquely so, and it is not his needs that make him special nor define who he is.  What makes him special is the joy, the enthusiasm, and the positive spirit that he brings to school each and every day.  Thank you for bestowing both Cody and Lauren with this honor.

On behalf of the entire school board, we are enormously proud of your gesture. I believe that we as a school district are perhaps best defined by how well we include our special kids in our lives.  In that regard, you have set a very high standard.  You are truly the best!

Sincerely yours,
Jeffrey E. Fix
President
Red Lion Area Board of School Directors

Jeff understood the need to run a fiscally sound district. Although he worked to not raise taxes, he never wanted to give our students less--only more. He valued academics yet recognized the importance of extracurricular activities. He was proud of our facilities from our stage to Horn Field to the Fitzkee Center. He loved to brag about the opportunities that our students have. His 32 years as an unpaid tennis coach speaks to his commitment to our students. In addition to providing our students with a world-class education, Jeff was deeply concerned about uniting the entire Red Lion Area School District. Although Jeff was elected to represented Red Lion Borough, he worked to actively include the other two regions when making decisions. He dreamed of a united district where all students were able to participate equally. He did not like to hear that some students were unable to participate in activities because of a lack of transportation or funds. To that end, he gave freely of his time and energy.
Certainly, Jeff loved this school district. He loved serving our students especially as the President of the Board. Truly Jeff represents the best of our school district. The blood that coursed through his veins undoubtedly was Gold and Black.
Our district is a better place because of him.