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Beaverton School District Superintendent Jerry Colonna retires Friday after eight years with the district. Approachable and welcoming, Colonna often put his paperwork aside to listen to staff or chat with a parent and was known for his educational book clubs with new school principals and vice principals. “It’s about the people and relationships,” he said of his job. BEAVERTON — As his eight years as superintendent of the Beaverton School District came to a close, Jerry Colonna flipped salmon burgers on a grill behind the school district office.

Three times a year, district administrators cook burgers, hot dogs — and whatever else is donated — for their staff as a thank you for their hard work.

The gatherings were Colonna’s idea and are a perfect example of his leadership style as head of the state’s third-largest school district.

“He’s a guy that demonstrates that we are all in this together,” said Mike Scott, Hillsboro School District superintendent, who was mentored by Colonna. “There is not one piece of the puzzle that is more important than another.”

Colonna retires Friday, after a tenure marked by a spirit of equality and cooperation that stood him in good stead with both staff and parents. During that time, he saw both the highs of building new schools and the lows of lost programs. Even his critics say he was a good listener and willing to admit a mistake.

Holly Lekas, a district regional administrator, described him as having “almost a missionary zeal. That kind of tenacity, commitment and sacrifice is pretty inspirational.”

Colonna speaks calmly and quietly, especially when others are riled up. Little rattles him. He pointed to a photo of a boy on his office wall. “He’s the reason why,” Colonna said. “There is nothing in this business that comes close to losing a son.”

His only son, Justin, died in an avalanche on South Arapaho Peak in Colorado in 1999 at the age of 22. Colonna was the superintendent in Redmond at the time. The photo is of his son in seventh grade.

This school year was especially difficult for the district and Colonna.

It began with a controversial decision to remove a gay student teacher for a conversation with a student about marriage and ended with the district preparing for its deepest cuts yet of the economic downturn. In between, Colonna’s mother suffered a stroke and had to be placed in an assisted living facility.

Decades of experience

Forty-four years in education has taught Colonna a few things about leadership and human nature. Beaverton was so impressed with the superintendent at 7,000-student Redmond School District, it hired him in 2003.

His is a hands-on style unusual for a superintendent overseeing more than 4,000 employees. He has ridden a school bus with kindergartners on the first day of school, worked in a cafeteria with the lunch staff and climbed on a school roof with a custodian. “You would be shocked what’s on the roofs of schools,” he said.

Colonna, 66, embraced what would cause some superintendents heartburn. He loved it when the community came out en masse to voice complaints or to try to save programs.

He wanted everyone to be involved in their school district. Despite the difficult budget cuts for the coming school year, he appreciated the crowds, which went as high as 800 people.

“I wish all meetings were like that, he said. “It shows the community interest. People have their passions.”

Colonna has his share of critics. Most prefer to email him.

“There are very few days that go by when I don’t see a criticism,” he said, and rattled off a list of topics that angered people: boundary changes, student transfers, the district’s anti-discrimination policy, the quality of education, siding with a principal on a decision and laid off or fired employees.

Parent Mona Rentz was among those upset by the district’s attempt this year to shorten the school day so teachers could collaborate and train.

Rentz said she appreciated Colonna’s willingness to listen to her concerns — he eventually postponed early release — but it came after it appeared a decision had been made.

Rentz said Colonna had several missteps this year, including plans to reduce librarians and custodians.

“The last year or two, he has seemed weary, not fighting off obviously bad ideas, not standing up to pressures on and in the district,” Rentz said in an email.

Liz Jurica was among the parents who fought the district over removing the gay student teacher, Seth Stambaugh, whom Colonna subsequently returned to the classroom.

“He’s one of few people to stand up and say they’re wrong and then do something about it,” Jurica said. “I’m very pleased with Jerry, overall.”

The Stambaugh case jolted the district, re-opening old wounds and hard feelings among staff and students.

Colonna did what he does best — he listened: to gay and lesbian staff, clergy, a gay rights organization, a diversity committee, a group of elementary school parents and, later, Stambaugh.

Colonna flips salmon burgers for staff during the Beaverton School District’s recent potluck.The district reinforced its anti-discrimination policies and continued to work with the groups involved. “I’m sorry it took an event like that to become a tipping point,” Colonna said. “I know we’re a better district because of it.”

Successes among setbacks

Colonna said he has learned more over the years from the difficulties than the accomplishments, but his fingerprints are on several successful programs, including the options schools.

He considered retiring last year, but decided to help the district prepare for pending budget cuts in 2011-12 before leaving. His replacement, Jeff Rose, superintendent of the Canby School District, starts Friday.

Still, Colonna left as programs he helped put in place are whittled away because of state funding cuts. “I don’t think we moved the system forward,” he said.

Colonna frequently expressed his frustration with state funding during budget meetings and listening sessions, but he said he has no plans to run for office in retirement.

He is, however, working on a plan to find a revenue source earmarked for education.

Until then, Colonna will catch up on his sleep and travel to Africa with his wife of three years, Linda “Bo” Bonotto, whom he notes is also of Italian descent and a former high school biology teacher.

As the barbecue came to a close June 21, Colonna addressed the 120 district employees, thanking everyone for their support.

“The school district is ready to move on,” he said. “I leave here being extremely proud of spending the best years of my career in the best district in the state.”

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