Kay Russow is officially retiring from Gravette High School after 33 years of service to the students and families of Gravette Schools. Since 1993, her office has become a central connection point of the district’s financial operations. Over the course of a single school year, millions of dollars move through systems she helped manage and track. The work required accuracy, patience, and the ability to shift quickly from one task to the next–all while staff came to her with questions and needs throughout the day. Beyond the records and paperwork, Kay is known by colleagues for her flexibility, steady professional support, and warm smile.
Born in New Mexico in 1952, Lynda Kay Russow moved to the Southwest Iowa/Platte Valley area as a young child before arriving in Gravette as a seventh grader. A 1971 graduate of Gravette High School, she married fellow Gravette graduate Frank Russow shortly after they earned their diplomas. They spent the next two decades as a Navy family. Along the way, Kay got an associate degree in Business Management and worked in the accounting department of the Navy Exchange. The Russows lived in Virginia, Arkansas, and California during that period and had two girls, both of whom went on to graduate from Gravette High School.
The Russow family returned to Northwest Arkansas when Frank retired in 1985. Back home, they built a couple chicken houses and spent the next decade raising kids and animals. After the chicken farm was sold in 1993, Kay began the next chapter of her career by joining Gravette Schools. Her oldest daughter, Linda White, later joined Gravette on the academic support team and currently helps students with credit recovery.
Kay Russow posing for a photo of a work twins dress-up day with another staff member named Kay.
Kay Russow began as a receptionist and bookkeeper. At the time, these two duties were assigned to one role because of the district’s size. She was able to interact a lot more with students and parents back then, which she found rewarding. As the district grew, with new programs, buildings, and opportunities for students, Kay’s workload grew with it–until it was too much for one person. Receptionist became a singular role as Russow remained where her training and expertise were needed most, in charge of the books.
The day-to-day work in Russow’s office was, as she described it, “kind of like working in a bank,” with deposits, invoices, purchasing, inventory, and records moving past her desk on a regular basis. So much of what students were able to do over the years, field trips, performances, competitions, and other school experiences, depended in part on the financial systems Kay kept in motion. But no matter how hectic the workday, she always made an effort to remain accessible to anyone who needed her. “I leave my door open because I just assume if they're in here, there’s a reason and they're not just interrupting,” Kay described. “I often have to backtrack and regroup to make progress on what I'm trying to get done at that time. But I never mind it.”
Kay Russow and Shannon Mitchell reacting to the sudden spotlight at their Retirement Celebration on May 19, 2026.
“She’s excellent. Never had a better bookkeeper than Kay,” said Superintendent Jeff Gravette. “On top of all of that she’s incredibly sweet and always professional.” At Kay’s retirement celebration, Mr. Gravette joked that he may need to hire two people to fill the gap left by her departure. Career Counselor Mary Smithers described Kay at the celebration as someone who helped carry the school through heavy days and shared appreciation that Kay always knew what to do.
In retirement, Kay does not have a long list of formal plans. That is part of the point. After years of schedules, deposits, deadlines, and emergencies, she is looking forward to a quieter pace. “I actually have no plans,” she said. “I’ll know what the day will be like when I wake up. If I want to go out and work my yard, I’ll have that now.” She plans to spend her post-retirement time working around the house, relaxing on the back porch, and traveling some with her sister. Surrounded by the love of her daughters, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter, Kay’s next chapter is focused entirely on family and the community that has always stood by her.
Kay Russow on vacation with two of her grandchildren
Gravette has changed greatly since she first came to town as a seventh grader, but it is still home to Kay and her family. “I grew up here. I know most everyone,” she said. “People here look out for each other. ‘How are you doing? Is your day okay?’ They’re always checking on you.” That part of Kay’s place in the community is not changing any time soon.
The work Kay leaves behind is woven into the history of school operations, student activities, and staff support. Over three decades, an untold number of processes were developed by Kay Russow and can only continue because of the foundation she built. Financial transactions, purchasing requests, state-compliance forms, athletic accounts, records, and operational paperwork from across the district never made it through processing without her. For 33 years she helped keep those pieces moving with accuracy and care. Now she is mentoring her successor, Holly Kleber, former purchasing secretary at Glenn A. Duffy Elementary, as Kleber prepares to take over the money desk at Gravette High School.
For her calm presence, her steady helping hand, and the knowledge she shared with so many people across the district, Gravette Schools has the deepest gratitude to Kay Russow and wishes her the best in retirement. Thank you, Kay, for your years of service and unwavering support of our staff.
High School Administration and Counseling staff posed for a photo of matching crayon costumes for Halloween. Left to right, Jodi Pinter, Linda White (Kay’s oldest daughter), Denise Griffith, Jennifer Moorman, Susan Hawkins, Mary Smithers, Lisa Eaves, Shannon Mitchell, Kay Russow
