PORT ORCHARD — Tim Winter, a 28-year educator and superintendent in the Clarkston School District since 2014, was selected Thursday, Feb. 28 as the South Kitsap School District’s new leader.

Winter was chosen by the South Kitsap School District’s board of directors during an executive session that followed two days of visits to the district by the two finalists vying for the position. The other finalist under consideration was Shawn Woodward, who currently is superintendent of the Lake Pend Oreille School District in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Winter toured the school district on Feb. 26 and participated in a public forum at the administration building that evening. He also met with board members in an executive session. Woodward also participated in the evaluation process on Feb. 28.

After Woodward’s community forum, the board met in executive session to review feedback from audience members and to discuss each candidate’s qualifications on Thursday night, school district spokeswoman Amy Miller said. Miller said the board then returned to the open public meeting and voted unanimously to select Winter as the new superintendent. Winter will succeed Karst Brandsma when he retires at the end of the school year.

Winter’s selection will be finalized after his contract is agreed to and a background check is completed.

“I am impressed with the programs, academics, activities and athletic opportunities in South Kitsap,” Winter said after his selection.

“My goal is for these programs to continue to thrive and support student achievement into the future. I believe there is exciting community growth on the horizon that will enhance the high level of success that already exists across the district.”

Winter, superintendent for Clarkston since 2014, also was a principal and assistant principal at Peninsula High School in the Peninsula School District. He also taught at the elementary, middle and high school levels. The new SKSD leader earned his superintendent’s credentials from Washington State University and administrative credentials from Eastern Washington University.

Rebecca Diehl, the board of directors’ president, called Winter a “relational leader with an obvious passion for education.”

Diehl lauded his skills at nurturing educators within Peninsula School District so they could, in turn, “take care of the students.

“He understands the proud history of South Kitsap and has a strong vision and ability to lead us forward into the future.”

Once Winter’s contract is finalized, he will begin work at South Kitsap on July 1, Miller said.