SKHS principal Diane Fox resigns

PORT ORCHARD — South Kitsap High School principal Diane Fox, who has served in that role since the fall of 2017, has resigned to accept another position outside Washington state, the school district announced on Friday.

Fox earlier requested, and was granted, a leave of absence earlier this week, citing personal reasons. South Kitsap School District Superintendent Karst Brandsma, who accepted Fox’s resignation, said her last day with the district will be June 30.

“I am honored to have shared in the lives of so many South Kitsap High School Wolves and their families,” Fox said in a statement released by the school district.

“I have never worked with a more special group of students,” she said. “It has also been a privilege to work with the staff who are so dedicated to our students. As I transition to a new role in a new state, I will carry with me the Wolf spirit I have come to love.”

Brandsma said he has asked Casey Ogan, an associate principal with the school, to serve as acting principal through the remainder of this school year. A decision and timeline in finding a permanent replacement haven’t been determined.

Incoming Superintendent Tim Winter, who will take over from Brandsma on July 1, will consult with district officials on a replacement before a final choice is made to replace Fox.

“We appreciate Ms. Fox’s leadership and her service to South Kitsap High School, the students and the community,” Brandsma said in a statement.

Fox was instrumental in implementing an eight-period day at the high school and she played a key role in the 9th- through 12th-grade configuration that was fully implemented at South Kitsap schools in the fall of 2017, he said.

Brandsma said increased protocols around student and staff safety also was put into place under Fox’s leadership.