There are people in our community working everyday in nonprofit agencies doing what I consider God's work.

Their clients are what the Rev. Jesse Jackson dramatically calls "the desperate, the damned, the disinherited, the disrespected and the despised."

Others choose to give back to their communities by giving up their evenings for public service on agency boards or governmental councils for little or no financial reward and a lot of grief.

Then there's Tom Slattery.

During the workweek, he's chief development officer at Seattle-based Child Care Resources, whose vision is to see that "Every child has a great start in school and in life."

Before that he was vice president of community resources at Burien's Ruth Dykeman Children's Center.

And after work, for the past 16 years, many of his nights have been devoted to serving on the Highline School Board during what is euphemistically called a "challenging" time.

Good karma-wise, Slattery is a double dipper.

But in this Tuesday's election, Slattery's name won't be on the school board ballot. Slattery, along with board president Matt Pina and Phyllis Byers, is retiring.

Since first being elected in 1991, Slattery has been selected by his colleagues as president in 1994, 1996, 2001 and 2005.

In December 2004, board members faced a coming year where they would have to decide on closing schools, setting new school boundaries, picking a new superintendent and beginning the switch from the century-old concept of comprehensive high schools to small learning academies.

They decided they wanted the calm and experienced Slattery to chair their meetings. Nothing riles up parents like their neighborhood school being closed.

Matt Pina took over his school board seat eight years ago from his dad, Ed Pina. (Ed's now on the Des Moines City Council. I don't know if that provides a hint about Matt's political future)

Matt Pina brought analytical skills and technological knowledge from his day job in applications development at Alaska Airlines to his oversight role for the school district.

Phyllis Byers has also served eight years.

Her involvement with local groups plus enthusiasm and advocacy for SeaTac has been a great addition to the board.

With Slattery, Pina and Byers retired, the district will lose 32 years of board experience. Current vice president Julie Burr Spani and board member Susan Goding are serving their first terms.

I started covering the board in 2000, so with the exception of assistant superintendent Geri Fain, I may ascend to the dubious distinction of being the dean of board meeting attendees. (Maybe I could publish a review guide of PTA cookies.)

One positive outcome will be the addition of an ethnic minority member to the school board.

Sili Savusa is running unopposed for Slattery's seat.

It's ridiculous in a district where 60 percent of the students are non-white that there are no ethnic minorities on the board. (The same could be said about our city councils.)

More than 80 nationalities and 70 different languages are represented in the district.

Mengstab Tzegai was appointed to the board but lost his bid for election two years ago.

I believe the district is making a sincere effort to reach out to the various ethnic communities they serve, so minority participation levels will change.

Slattery, Pina and Byers are leaving a district that is on the upswing.

For example, a few years ago, private charter schools were all the rage. Now Highline high schoolers have such public charter choices as Aviation High, Big Picture High, Puget Sound Skills Center, International Baccalaureate at Mt. Rainier and the specialized learning academies.

In addition, new schools have been built and community support is up.

Tom, Matt and Phyllis-you have a lot to be proud of.

Thank you for your service to the community.

Eric Mathison can be reached at hteditor@robinsonnews.com or 206-388-1855.