The Highline Times today received the following letter from Terry McMahan, Direcdtor of Athletics for the Highline School District:

Friends, Family, and Colleagues:

I am writing to let you know that I will be retiring at the end of this school year, my 35th in education. I announced this decision at a meeting of department staff this morning. Our Superintendent, Susan Enfield, will be releasing something this afternoon; however, I wanted to let you know now.

It has been my honor to be an educator. All I wanted to do was teach and coach. To have lived through the historic strides realized for women’s sports along the way has been an indelible experience. There is little doubt in my mind that I would have become a director of athletics had it not been for the monumental shift realized over the past 40 years. I owe a great deal to the courage and resilience of the women who paved the way as well as the men who understood equity and supported those of us who sought careers in athletics and athletics administration. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such quality individuals on behalf of the students we serve and wish you all the best in the days ahead.

After playing volleyball and tennis and completing a quality education at Western Washington University (BA ‘77/Masters ’80), I spent 15 years at Ferndale High School as a teacher and volleyball/softball coach followed by four as athletic director. For the 11 years that followed, I was director of athletics for Edmonds School District, where I grew up (Mountlake Terrace class of ’72). When I left Edmonds, I took a couple years off due to an illness in my family and started at Highline in 2010. Relationships built and programs developed over the years have created lasting memories that I will cherish.

I am announcing at this time for several reasons:
- People tend to want to get things done when someone is leaving and I wanted plenty of time to respond.
- I want the district to have as much time as possible to plan the replacement process. Although the job will not be posted until after the first of the year, it allows plenty of time to get the word out and encourage prospective candidates.
- I am hopeful the short-timer, lame duck comments can be said all at once now so I can get back at it and accomplish as much as possible before the end of the year. Not really a fan of that stuff…

I can assure you that I will work hard each day through the end of the year. I have seen far too many people retire before they leave the job and I always swore that I would not be one of those people. I am in athletics for gosh sake. If any group of employees should know about speeding up at the finish line it should be my group!

Thanks. Terri