After 40 years at the Bainbridge Island School District, Peggy Paige, executive director of Business, retired June 30.
Paige began her BISD career in 1982 as an accounting clerk then moved into accounts payable as a business officer and eventually became director of Business Services, a position she held for more than 20 years.
“Peggy has steered the school district through many lows, COVID grants, insurance payments and emergency asset failures. Most likely no one realizes how long and how hard she works,” BISD employee Dianne Speers said.
Speers said Paige is a quiet, unassuming person who has never asked for recognition, but her fiscal management and acumen has earned the district a most-favorable rating with Moody’s.
When asked about that accomplishment, Paige gives credit to the team, “It is more than just me. By working with the other administrators, we together shared a vision of maintaining financial stability while moving the district forward with its plans and initiatives.”
Paige also acknowledged a colleague outside the district. When she was business manager, Dave Trageser from D.A. Davidson & Co. helped the district with multiple bond sales and refunding.
In the 18 years that Trageser worked with Paige, he said, “During that time we completed $239 million of bond financing for the district — improving school facilities and refinancing bonds for Bainbridge taxpayer savings. Paige was always looking out for the district’s best interest, ways to save money.”
About her long work history at the district, Paige said she appreciated the flexibility in her various roles and the encouragement to take on new responsibilities. She credits that with allowing her to balance work and family life.
“My two children attended BISD during my time here, and I enjoyed being able to share in their school activities. My daughter is now a teacher in the district, and my grandson just completed third grade. This has given me the opportunity to see how the decisions made in the district office impact the schools and the children,” Paige said.
