“He serves kids every single day,” said Newey. “He does a great job. He has some of the hardest jobs in the superintendency.”

Two years ago when there was a full dismissal of school due to COVID, John was able to get delivery of learning to all households, he said. “He had to define and put out updates every single night and he’s done that without the slightest utterance of complaint. We've seen some of the most divisive, tenuous struggles and we’ve never fallen into that. Every time John has handled it with class and efficiency.”

“We do what we have to do to get the job done,” said Zurbuchen. “We all recognize in each other that we’re doing the best we can. We went through it together.”

John is the calm in a storm, said School Board Vice President Marie Stevenson. “He’s the first one in the parking lot and the last one to leave. I send parents to him and he’s always willing to meet with them. He got us through COVID and the DOJ.”

 “I love John,” said Newey. “He's certainly deserving of this honor.”