PORT ORCHARD — The South Kitsap School District Board of Directors has extended the contract of Karst Brandsma to remain as interim superintendent through the 2017-2018 school year.

The board unanimously approved the extension at a Jan. 4 district meeting.

Brandsma was selected from among three finalists in mid-July for the interim post. He replaced Dr. Michelle Reid, who was named superintendent at Northshore School District in Bothell last spring.

“Mr. Brandsma has done a superior job in his current role as interim superintendent,” said Greg Wall, the board’s president, in the school district’s news release.

“His experience as interim in other districts was apparent right away and he has continued the important work taking place in our schools. We are thankful for the strong leadership he is providing and will count on his expertise and guidance as we move forward with grade reconfiguration and other initiatives.”

The interim leader earned his superintendent’s credentials from Seattle Pacific University, administrative credentials from Central Washington University, and bachelor’s and master’s of education from Eastern Washington University.

Brandsma previously was interim superintendent and district administrator with the Oak Harbor, Mount Baker, and Bellingham school districts. He retired from the Everett School District in 2009 after serving as interim superintendent and associate-deputy superintendent for eight years.