Fritsch to begin chasing grandkids this summer
By Terry Murry on Monday, November 22nd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – Pendleton School Superintendent Chris Fritsch retires at the end of June. He said as he and his wife relocate to be closer to their eight grandchildren, he will never forget the people he met during his five years in the Round-Up City.
“The family engagement and involvement with their children’s education was really refreshing for me, compared to where I came from,” he said.
He said he felt welcome immediately, and really appreciates the community’s quickness to help when needed.
“All we have to do is ask and somebody’s there to offer either financial assistance or sweat equity or whatever it is you need,” he said. “That’s not that common anymore in a lot of places.”
Fritsch said he doesn’t expect to have a restful retirement thanks to his grandchildren.
“We’ve got three boys and five girls, and they’re ages between 5 and 13 and they’re all active,” he said. “I’m telling people I’m going to retire, but I think I’m going to be pretty busy, just chasing grandkids.”
Meanwhile, Pendleton School District Board of Directors Chairwoman Lynn Lieuallen said the board will make a decision soon regarding hiring a consultant to aid in the search for a new superintendent. In an email to staff, she wrote that the choice should be made in a few weeks and after that time a timeline will be determined for advertising the position and interviewing applicants. Lieuallen said that input from staff will be a valuable part of the hiring process.
