Glasgow Board Room Named After Longtime Superintendent

During their regular meeting session on June 12, the Glasgow School Board approved naming the Glasgow School District Boardroom after Gary F. Martin, who was a longtime superintendent for the school district. Martin passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at his home of congestive heart failure.

Martin served as superintendent for the school district for 27 years, from 1972 to 1999, and achieved many accomplishments during those years.

“In recognition of Gary’s 27 years as superintendent of Glasgow Schools, I feel this is a very worthy designation,” reflected incoming Superintendent of Glasgow School Brenner Flaten. “As long-term tenure has became increasingly difficult with leadership positions in education, I feel it is due time to begin to recognize individuals that have stood above the rest. Naming the boardroom is one impactful way of doing so.”

During Martin’s tenure, many changes were made to the schools in the district, some of which are still utilized today by students, staff and board members. One of which is the high school football field which was moved from the Fairgrounds to its present location at the Glasgow High School. The move included the addition of the all-weather track, lights, bleachers, concession stands and restrooms.

Martin was also instrumental in adding additional classrooms to Eastside Elementary School and remodeling to transfer the school into a Middle School Concept, which is used today as Glasgow Middle School. The grade organizational pattern was changed to kindergarten through fifth grade (elementary school), sixth through eighth grade (middle school) and ninth to 12th grade grouping (high school).

Martin helped construct new shops at the high school and the old junior high school was demolished for safety purposes. The old shop facilities were remodeled into the boardroom, which is now named after Martin, administrative offices and district warehouses along with bus barns.

Boardchair Angie Page told the Courier, "We wanted to recognize Mr. Martin's dedication to the Glasgow school district and his support of our community. In his 27 years as Superintendent, Mr. Martin guided the district through incredible growth and spearheaded the addition of many facilities in the District."

"Gary's pride in our schools and community should serve as an example to all who live here and particularly those who choose to serve as volunteers on the Glasgow School Board. I am pleased to know that the business of the district will be conducted in a space that honors one of our District's most dedicated employees and hope that the decisions made there will honor Gary's legacy of educational leadership."

Martin always appreciated the dedicated school board members, his administrative staff, teachers and coaches as well as all of their efforts for the Glasgow students. This was one way the District could give back to the many years he put in for the schools and the community.