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Our Highline Family has lost
a long-time member October 15 in the passing of Dr. Robert
Sealey. Many of you will remember Bob from his days as
Highline's Superintendent but his connection to our
schools started long before – and lasted long after – his
nine years in that role.
Bob started out as a science teacher in 1949 at Puget
Sound Junior High. He served as counselor at Evergreen
High School until his promotion to principal of Sunset
Junior High in 1957. He later became principal at Highline
High School where he served until moving to the central
office in 1966. Bob led the secondary curriculum team in
1966 and then became Area Administrator in 1967. In 1972
he was selected to serve as Superintendent, a role he held
until his retirement in 1981.
Bob led the district during a time of rapid growth
followed by dramatic decline in enrollment which resulted
in difficult decisions including school closures, staff
and budget reductions. Through it all, Bob’s leadership
remained strong – he was personally engaged in the process
and worked with those involved in a compassionate and
caring way.
Geri Fain, who first knew Dr. Sealey as her principal when
she was a student and ASB officer, was hired by him when
she became a teacher. He later promoted her to principal
and into the central office. Geri remembers the bleak days
of reductions and double levy failures saying, “The
strength of a person is often measured in how they handle
adversity, and Bob handled it with strength and grace.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Marsha Spreier who also
worked with Dr. Sealey. She observed, “Bob guided the
district through the difficult times of enrollment
decline. Over an approximate eight-year period --- HSD
went from 32,000 to 18,000 students as a result of
recession, airport expansion which “swallowed” whole
neighborhoods, and empty-nest syndrome in our community.
Bob skillfully led the tricky work of downsizing and
school closures.”
Bob was a strong advocate of Camp Waskowitz and together
with his predecessor Carl Jensen, established the camp as
an integral part of the learning process in the district.
Even in retirement, he remained a member of Puget Sound
Youth Foundation and supporter of the camp.
The Sealey family lives in the Highline community where
Bob was an active presence. He was involved with Rotary
and other community-service organizations.
Services for Dr. Sealey will be Saturday, October 28, at
2:00 p.m. at Grace Community Church located at 1320 Auburn
Way South in Auburn, Washington.
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