King resigns as ML rec coordinator

Ashlee King has spent the last seven years as the recreation coordinator for the city of Medical Lake, planning activities and getting to know local families. Now she's taking a different path to help youth.

King, who will be leaving her position with the city this month, was hired as a part-time counselor at both Hallett Elementary School and The Community School in Spokane.

A Medical Lake High School alumna, King graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor's degree in psychology with a focus in human development. She is currently pursuing her master's degree at Whitworth University.

During her years as the recreation coordinator, King helped continue building the city's youth sports programs. She also formed a partnership with the Airway Heights, Cheney and Fairchild Air Force Base parks and recreation departments to form the 4-Rec Youth Sports Program.

King said part of her job as recreation coordinator was to keep programs affordable and accessible to local families.

"That's part of the reason of why we do this," she added.

Through her role as coordinator, King has helped maintain a relationship between the city and the Spokane County Library District. She was also, as she put it "a connector piece for the city and the Founder's Day committee."

King also helped implement a wellness policy for city employees. Medical Lake was one of the 112 cities to receive a Association of Washington Cities' Well City Award for 2016. The city will receive a 2 percent discount on 2016 medical premiums.

In an email, Medical Lake City Administrator Doug Ross said King, "has done a terrific job for the city these past seven years."

"She has an excellent relationship with parents, coaches, peers and her fellow city staff," Ross said. "While she will be greatly missed, Ashlee has worked her tail off to get where she is at with her new career field, and for that we are all very proud of her."

King's relationship with Hallett started last year when she helped run the school's Friday Late Start program. She said the opportunity allowed her to earn her elementary observation internship hours, as well as develop relationships with students and their families outside of the parks programs.

King said she is excited to work at Hallett in a way that will directly impact students.

"Hallett feels like home to me," she said.

King said she landed the job at The Community School through one of her Whitworth professors, who knew the school would have an open part-time counselor position. Prior to getting the job, she visited the school and met with staff and students.

King said her experience as the Medical Lake recreation coordinator will help her make connections with families at both schools and be a resource to them.

As for what she will miss most about working for the city, King listed planning youth sports, as well as building the relationships with other programs and the city staff.

"I'm thankful for the support I've received over the years and for the opportunity to work in the parks department, but at the same time I'm excited for this next chapter (of my life)," King said.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].