Welches school is losing a pair of leaders.

Principal Mike Sutton and Vice-Principal Debbie Borge have responded to the
school district’s incentive retirement offer – a program adopted to address the
budget crisis.

“It’s not what I wanted to do,” Sutton said. “I was planning on at least one
more year here at the school. But I wasn’t forced out, by any means. It just
turned out this way.”

Borge was looking forward to one more year as well, but the school budget
and family considerations entered into her decision to leave early.

“My husband (John) decided to retire from the county and that factored in,”
Borge said. “He is the love of my life and my best friend, and it’s always been
family first with us. So this is OK with me. I’m looking forward to spending
time with him. But it was still difficult.”

Sutton, 57, has been in education for 33 years, the last four at Welches. He
grew up in Estacada, attended Mount Hood Community College, received BS
degrees in health and physical education, and education at Oregon State.
While teaching at Estacada he managed a master’s degree in arts of teaching
at Lewis and Clark.

Borge, 56, grew up in Bend, went to Beaverton High, received a BS in
education at Oregon State and attained her MS in education at Portland State.
She went to work at Sandy High in 1976 as the home economics instructor.
She has been at Welches for 23 years.

What is apparent is the close bond between the principals, sharing a common
vision for the Mountain students, and how hard it is to leave.

“I love this job,” Sutton said. “We’re (Borge) a really good team. We have the
same styles, and this has been the best working arrangement in my life. Her
leadership skills are the very best.”

Borge was quick to return the praise.

“What he said,” she said. “Mike is so good at taking boys on the edge and
pushing them to the right side. Since he’s been here the climate has really
changed. It’s been great.”

With the joint decisions made, the staff was notified April 17, and April 20
they called an assembly to tell the students.

“It was incredibly emotional,” Sutton said. “There was happiness, there were
tears.”

“No one knew,” Borge said. “It was a dark time. It was hard. And, some aren’t
happy that we’re leaving.”

OTSD Superintendent Shelley Redinger was sorry to see them leave.
“I know it will be difficult to have both leaders leave the school at the same
time,” Redinger said. “The Welches school community is their family ... Their
commitment has been outstanding, and we will all miss them.”
Sutton and Borge agreed on what they’ll miss most.

“The kids,” Sutton said. “Kids doing wonderful things. They provided
something new every day.”

Borge echoed the sentiments. “I’ll miss the kids most – the hugs, the
toothless smiles, the tears when they got an oops slip.”

As he looks forward, Sutton will turn his attention to another love: golf.
“I’m going to play in Scotland this fall,” he said. “My brother is a golf pro, and
I’ve helped design a couple courses. I might get back into that.”

Borge wants to travel.

“Our son is on the coast of Ecuador,” she said. “And we have a good friend in
France who has a chalet and vineyard.”

The Welches loss is Scotland and France’s gain.