On the evening of May 31st, Columbia joined other school districts from across the region to recognize local community leaders who have had a lasting impact on their towns and communities. At this year’s Southeast Washington Association of School Administrators (SEWASA) annual banquet, our district was pleased to celebrate former Columbia Superintendent Dr. Lou Gates, whose fingerprint across our district can still be seen after his retirement in 2018. During his tenure as Superintendent, Dr. Gates demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to the betterment of the Burbank community. Current Superintendent Todd Hilberg presented Dr. Gates with a plaque and thanked Dr. Gates for his years of service to the Burbank community, sound fiscal leadership, and an unwavering dedication to providing students with the best educational environment.