George Jannusch is going fishing — and not just for a weekend.

Jannusch is retiring after 12 years of employment in the Lake Washington School District (LWSD). He drove district school buses for four years — and for the last eight years, he’s been the security guard at Redmond High School (RHS).

A sign on the door of Jannusch’s office reads, “George, you have secured a place in our hearts.” One wouldn’t expect such sentiment for someone who scopes out trespassers, pranksters or smokers.

But the Mustangs’ fondness for Jannusch is genuine. He said his job requires a delicate mix of “love, compassion and taking care of business.”

While he monitors misconduct such as minor thefts or possession of illegal substances, he also talks with students and listens carefully to what they have to say.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

“I respect them. I don’t talk down to them,” Jannusch explained. “To do this job, you have to love kids and they love you back. If they cross that fine line, do something wrong, after they pay the price or face the consequences, they can come back to me with no ill will. These are young adults. I treat them like I’d like to be treated.”

Jannusch repeatedly used the word “blessed” to describe his relationships with RHS administrators, teachers, staff members, School Resource Officer (SRO) Paul Edwardsen of the Redmond Police Department — and especially the RHS student body. He said they all play parts in keeping the campus safe.

“Students at my school are awesome,” he declared. “It’ll be hard for me to walk away because of the kids.”

He hopes to stay somewhat involved with them, perhaps coming to football and basketball games. For now, on a daily basis, his door is always open and students know they can come to him with any problem.

“You don’t see graffiti, tagging or gangs here. It’s a culmination of me and the SRO working hand-in-hand,” he noted. “I ask kids to treat this as their second home. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t do to your own home.”

TOUGH LOVE

There are students who come to Jannusch because they’re being harassed or have seen something suspicious and want to report it. He said, “RHS has tough, zero tolerance policies against bullying or possession of drugs, alcohol or tobacco.” Those who break the rules know they will be turned over to the principals or the police, depending on the offense.

Those situations don’t often occur at RHS, he pointed out. Most of the time, he’s watching for infractions such as someone trying to leave the campus without permission.

“When I walk into the cafeteria and see something going on, or see someone trying to leave, all I have to do is clear my throat and they turn around. I don’t have to say a word,” he commented, laughing.

There are also teens who come to Jannusch because of personal problems or conflicts with teachers.

“If I don’t have an answer, I’ll dig until I find an answer,” he said. And he doesn’t sugar-coat things if he thinks they are wrong.

“Sometimes I have to tell them what they don’t want to hear … or I’ll go with them to see a counselor or teacher if they don’t want to go alone.”

He modestly added that he learned a lot from former SRO Nick Lovell, who is now retired from Redmond Police.

“Don’t judge something right away. Take time to check it out. There are two sides to every story. Nick Lovell taught me that part of it,” he said.

In return, Jannusch has had the joy of seeing one-time “problem kids” grow into successful college students and adults. On the day of the Reporter’s visit, he received a heartwarming letter from a former student, addressed simply to “George, 17272 NE 104th St., Redmond, WA 98052.”

A SPECIAL SEND-0FF

Knowing that Jannusch’s days at RHS are numbered, leadership students and the whole student body have been raising money for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a cause that is near and dear to his heart. His grandsons Quincy and Hunter Rader, ages nine and seven, have the debilitating disease and will be featured in this year’s MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) Telethon.

“That’s love,” said Jannusch, with tears in his eyes, as he described how RHS students have honored him by raising more than $3,000, so far, to fight DMD.

He added that Quincy and Hunter live nearby, with his daughter Tami and son-in-law Brandon. Tami also works for the LWSD, running the kitchen at Franklin Elementary School in Kirkland.

Another daughter, Keri Lynn Jannusch, died in 1988 in an alcohol-related car accident. Her smiling photograph sits on his desk and he frequently tells students about what happened to her and the pain of losing her.

“It’s hard to talk about,” he said, “but I do it for the good of the kids.”

Last year, RHS students planted a tree in the campus courtyard, in memory of Keri Lynn.

We asked Jannusch how he’ll spend his retirement.

“I’m going fishing,” he responded, with obvious pleasure.

Before he joined the LWSD, he worked in military law enforcement with U.S. Coast Guard Intelligence.

“I spent a lot of time chasing bad guys,” he recalled.

He’s looking forward to outdoor adventures with his wife Sharrall, whom he described as his “main fishing partner.”

His biggest catch has been a 65-pound salmon.