In the past month, residents of the Central Kitsap School District have learned that they are losing two devoted public officials.

Superintendent Greg Lynch has resigned and will become the Superintendent of the Olympic Educational Services District which serves school districts on the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas.

Lynch has served the district well for the past nine years and teachers, school district classified staff, as well as parents and students have offered their thanks for a job well done.

Lynch has continually received high marks on his evaluations from the Central Kitsap School District’s Board of Directors and recently received a letter grade of A or B from more than 90 percent of school district employees on an in-house questionnaire.

To his credit, he’s involved in the community, meeting with local business owners at chamber events, and with County Commissioner Josh Brown when Brown has his public open houses at the Silverdale library. And Lynch attends many school functions offering his support to students.

School board members are already getting the search underway for a replacement for Lynch who will leave the district June 30.

Residents of the school district need to take an active role in working with the school board as a new superintendent is selected.

At the same school board meeting last week as the board was accepting Lynch’s resignation, the board also learned that one of their own is leaving. School board member Christy Cathcart announced her resignation, which came as a surprise to all.

Cathcart plans to move out of state to be nearer to her new grandson, and took the opportunity to resign immediately so that her seat can be filled in the upcoming election cycle.

Cathcart has served on the board since 1999. She was in the second year of her fourth term.

Her service is genuinely appreciated and her experience will be missed.

Cathcart and Lynch have given much to Central Kitsap schools. And we owe them both our thanks.