An honor not wanted but appreciated

For 20 years, John Gott, the superintendent of the North Thurston School District, had one fast rule. Never name a school building after a person – – living or dead. “Every time I did,” he said, “it always caused me trouble.”

And, in his two decades at the helm of the school district, no building was named after a person. While Tumwater and Olympia honored those who made a contribution to local education, it never happened in the North Thurston district.

But now, a building has been named after the former superintendent.

The school district administration building on College Street will now bear the name John Gott Administrative Center. The North Thurston School Board took that action at its meeting this week.

Response from John Gott when he was notified. A tear.