The public is invited to a party Saturday, Sept. 26, for Jim Lewis, who retired this summer after 10 years as superintendent of the Blaine County School District.
The event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. at Wood River High School. Lunch will be served and a special tribute for Lewis is set for 2 p.m.
A press release from the school district states that entertainment for children will be provided in the school gymnasium. Art students from throughout the district have created special decorations for the party. Music and band students will perform.
The press release states that the party is being paid for by "friends of Dr. Lewis."
Lewis served for four years as the district's assistant superintendent and director of curriculum before being appointed superintendent in 1999.
He announced his retirement at the June meeting of the district board of trustees. At the same meeting the school board unanimously appointed Lonnie Barber as Lewis' successor. Barber, a former Caldwell School District superintendent, served as Blaine County School District's assistant superintendent for two years.
Lewis' accomplishments include construction of three new schools and implementation as the first school district in Idaho of the dual immersion program, in which students are taught half in Spanish and half in English.
Lewis also led creation of nine tech academies at Wood River High School, piloted student performance testing that later evolved into the Idaho Standard Achievement Test program and initiated a workforce housing program to attract teachers to the district.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
