Lynette Cram resigns; Dave Cram hired

Dave and Lynette Cram caught themselves coming and going at the La Conner school board meeting Monday night.

The couple traded places as district leaders when Lynette Cram stepped down after eight years on the board and David Cram was hired as the new La Conner Schools deputy superintendent of finance, human resources and operations.

The board's senior member, Cram resigned to avoid possible conflict-of-interest issues with her husband returning for his second tour as the school's fiscal chief.

Cram has represented the Town of La Conner director district. She follows Amanda Bourgeois, who resigned the Swinomish director district seat two weeks ago.

David Cram was the La Conner Schools finance director in the early 2000s. He has since taken similar posts with the Lakewood, Anacortes and Marysville school districts.

Cram's resignation was accepted reluctantly.

"If Mr. Cram did not seem to be the perfect answer to our most critical need," board member John Agen said, "I would not accept this resignation."

"It's been a pleasure serving with Lynette," added board member J.J. Wilbur. "We have a great group of folks at this table that have the best interests of kids at heart. We will miss Lynette's input and having her at the table."

Board president Susie Deyo also praised Lynette Cram for her service to the district.

"You've been a difference maker," Deyo said. "You've been here through some interesting times. This is your board. You've been thoughtful and creative. The district has grown while you've been here. We now have a strategic plan in place. That's huge. It's hard work and you've done that. Your relationship with the community and your voice has been a difference maker."

Cram, an assistant basketball coach for the girls' basketball team, said she intends to remain involved.

"You'll still see me around, in the gym," said Cram, a physical therapist and owner of the Balance Point clinic in La Conner.

"I've learned a lot in my time on the board," she added. "I learned a lot more about school operations. It was a deep dive. I got to work with some great people. What I'll miss most is the decision making that's about what's best for kids."

Moments later, David Cram stepped to the lectern and presented a detailed analysis of projected enrollment figures for the 2022-23 academic year, a study he had compiled while going through the interview process.

He said declining enrollment, a trend across the state, will likely continue. He projects a drop next year from 525 to 490 students in grades K-12.

Cram noted that the incoming kindergarten class is expected to be smaller than the high school senior class graduating this spring. He pointed out that the eighth grade is a small class whose birth year coincides with the 2008-2009 recession.

"Being below 500 students is kind of scary," said Deyo, alluding to how state funding is linked to full time student enrollment.

David Cram said as recently as the 2019-20 school year the district enrolled 600 students and that enrollment was even higher when he last worked here.

"We had over 700 students then and actually went up to (the) 1A (classification)," he said.

Superintendent Will Nelson said the district is fortunate to have Cram back in the fold.

"With his prior experience here and his experience in Lakewood, Anacortes and Marysville, we're lucky to have him rejoining us here at the La Conner School District," Nelson said.

"We're losing one Cram," he continued, "and gaining another Cram."

Cram's first official day on the job is today, March 1.

For the open La Conner director district position, Executive Assistant Cherri Kahns said those interested in being appointed to fill the remaining eight months of Lynette Cram's term are invited to fill out an application on-line.

"The appointee will have the option of running for the seat in the November 2023 election," said Kahns.

Deyo said three applicants have emerged to fill the vacant Swinomish director seat and will be interviewed March 9.

The board hopes to fill both vacancies by the end of the month.