Staff report
South Kitsap School District has named three finalists for the interim superintendent position for the 2016-2017 school year.
The school district’s selection will replace Dr. Michelle Reid, who was named by Northshore School District as its new superintendent. Reid started work at the Bothell-based district July 1.
The three finalists are Dr. Tony Apostle, retired superintendent from the Puyallup School District; Karst Brandsma, retired school administrator who has served as interim superintendent and district administrator with the Oak Harbor, Mt. Baker and Bellingham school districts; and Dr. Jane Pryne, retired superintendent from the Port Angeles School District.
The South Kitsap schools board of directors, working on a tight timeline, will interview the candidates during an open public meeting July 19 at the District Administration Building, 2689 Hoover Ave. SE in Port Orchard. The first interview is set for 3 p.m. The public is invited to attend and give the board written suggestions about the candidates, according to school district spokeswoman Amy Miller. Following the final interview session, the board will deliberate in executive session and likely will take action in open session to appoint Reid’s interim successor.
She said the district directors plan to offer a contract to the new interim superintendent at their July 20 board meeting.
Apostle, who has a doctorate in education from Washington State University, also served as interim superintendent for the Kent School District during its 2014-2015 school year. Brandsma has a Washington State Superintendent Certificate from Seattle Pacific. And Pryne, who has a doctorate in education from the University of Arizona, also served as Marana Unified School District superintendent on an interim basis.
Miller said that once the interim superintendent position is filled and the school year is underway, South Kitsap’s school board will enlist the services of regional superintendent search firm Northwest Leadership Associates.
It also will seek input from district staff and the community, to conduct a comprehensive search for a permanent superintendent. The board hopes to seat a new school leader by July 1, 2017.
