If there’s one thread that runs through Paul Hill’s life, it’s service.

Long before joining the Moses Lake School District Board of Directors, Paul dedicated decades to serving others. His career included serving 41 years as a volunteer firefighter. He also spent five years with the Navy sea cadet corps. His service didn’t stop there. He also was a police officer for the City of Normandy Park, south of Seattle and was a King County Sheriff’s Deputy.

Today, that commitment continues in a different way through public education.

Outside the boardroom, however, Paul’s proudest titles have nothing to do with uniforms or public service.

“First and foremost, I am a husband, father, grandfather, and now great-grandfather,” he said. 

Ask him what a perfect day looks like, and you’ll likely find him working his gardens and flower beds, spending time fishing, or simply enjoying quality time with his children and grandchildren.

Paul says the people who shaped him most weren’t famous leaders or public figures.

“Although I had a biological father, I never had a real dad,” he shared. “I have had three men in my life that were true fathers and very instrumental in making me who I am today.”

Though those men have since passed away, Paul believes their influence remains with him every day.

One of those lasting influences also came from a classroom. His fifth-grade teacher, Mr. Greer, had a reputation that made students nervous.

“Everyone hated seeing their name on the class list,” Paul recalled. “I was no exception.”

Looking back, though, he sees something entirely different.

“Mr. Greer was indeed strict, but that was what I needed,” he added. “Above all, he was understanding, safe, and always there when I needed help.”

That experience shaped how Paul thinks about schools today. They aren’t simply places to learn, but they are places where students find adults they can trust.

His path to the school board also began with a challenge to get involved. “We won’t make any change from the top,” he remembers hearing while volunteering on a statewide campaign. “We need to get involved in school boards, hospital boards, and other local organizations.” 

That message stayed with him and eventually inspired him to seek a seat on the Moses Lake School District Board of Directors.

Like many people, Paul’s life has included challenges that required resilience, faith, and perseverance. Looking back, he credits God’s grace with helping him overcome obstacles that ultimately strengthened his character and deepened his appreciation for serving others.

When asked what he hopes students feel when they walk into one of our schools each day, his answer always comes without hesitation. “Safe. Secure. Confident. Loved.”

Those four words are more than a wish. They represent the kind of school environment Paul hopes every student experiences; one where they know they belong, where they are encouraged to grow, and where caring adults help them discover what they’re capable of becoming.

Paul also believes deeply in Moses Lake.

“I want to keep proving people wrong,” he said. “There are so many people doing incredible work here, and this community has a bright future when we keep investing in our kids.”

For Paul, his time on the school board is simply another way to continue a lifetime of serving others.