Fort Huachuca, AZ. - On June 27, Dr. Ronda Frueauff, Fort Huachuca Accommodations Schools superintendent, will close out eight years of civilian service to the Fort Huachuca community.
In recognition of her support and dedication to the military Families and children, a ceremony was held Tuesday at Alvarado Hall where Maj. Gen. Robert Ashley, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca commander, and Col. Dan McFarland, garrison commander, presented her with awards and mementos in honor of her tenure.
"No one has had a greater impact on the school system and on education, in Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca, than Ronda has," Ashley said to the guests who were present in her honor. "There is probably not a part of the Fort Huachuca society that you have not reached out and touched and set a standard of excellence."
Frueauff was a major player in many significant changes among the schools on Fort Huachuca. In January 2008, the governing school board came into existence, and Frueauff was the spearhead of the operation.
Another important role that she held as superintendent was assisting with the planning and construction of three new schools on post to include the first net-zero school in Arizona, Colonel Smith Middle School.
"I think the new Colonel Smith Middle School was a major change and has to be my favorite," Frueauff reminisced. "From the old school to the new school, it's like night and day. The student reactions were so emphatic."
In the time Frueauff has been here, technology has been upgraded in multiple areas. "We are focused on energy conservation, and we are trying our best to get our schools to a point where they can have an energy source that won't take money away from our students by paying for our energy," she said.
The most recent change was the $1.2 million that was received from the Department of Defense Education Activity to infuse technology integration specialists into the schools.
Recognizing her great efforts, Ashley said, "You are investing in the future. What you have done for all of the kids that are in these schools, for all of the Soldiers -- that will pay the nation back tenfold."
Among the awards she received, Ashley presented Frueauff with the Outstanding Civilian Service medal, comparable to the military Legion of Merit award, recognizing her meritorious contributions.
Frueauff gave credit to former Garrison Commander Col. Melissa Sturgeon. "She went with me to Phoenix and sat through a lot of meetings with legislators. She embraced the governance structure and the needs that we had. That really makes a difference when you are talking about Soldiers, and you have a Soldier beside you in uniform."
Having served in the educational system for 34 years, 17 in a superintendent position, Frueauff is undecided as to what is next in her career path. "I just want to do something different in the education field. I think it is time for me to move out of [the superintendant role] and do something else," she remarked.
To the Fort Huachuca community that has embraced her in these eight years, Frueauff said, "Stay involved, stay engaged, and keep fighting for your kids."
Bonnie Austin, currently Fort Huachuca Accommodation Schools assistant superintendent, will be replacing Frueauff, effective July 1.
"I am passionate about student learning and supporting 21st century instructional practices of teaching. As a military brat and the years of experience in the Fort Huachuca Accommodation Schools District, I understand the unique needs, challenges and strengths of the military child," Austin said in her biography.
Austin has served military Families and children in the educational field for 19 years.
Social Sharing