Two East Washington Principals To Retire

Last updated on Monday, March 4, 2013

(SALEM) - After the recent offering of a retirement incentive for East Washington teachers and administrators, the corporation will be replacing two of the three district principals.

Kate Wehlann of the Leader-Democrat reports that the school board approved the retirement of middle school Principal Linda Leudeman and elementary school Principal Debbie Esarey during their February board meeting last Tuesday.

Leudeman has been part of the corporation for eight years, with six of those years as principal and two as an assistant at the elementary school, with a hiatus at another school in between her time at East Washington.
"Things are going very smoothly here and I want to leave with things going well," she said. "The school's in good hands. I'm very confident."

Leudeman said she doesn't have any set plans for her post-East Washington years, calling her retirement a "leap of faith."

Esarey decided to volunteer to retire after 12 years at East Washington.

She plans to possibly pursue another form of work for a while before turning her full attention to her family.

Leudeman said her retirement will mean a shorter commute from Jackson County that will save money, but that her last long drive home will be a difficult one.

Before they retire at the end of the year, though, there's still the rest of the year to get through, including ISTEP and planning for the beginning of next year.

Also retiring with the $20,000 incentive are Carol Backherms, Sharon McElroy, Colleen Jeffers, Michael Metcalf and Beth Brown.

Debbie Esaray

Linda Luedeman

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