PORT ORCHARD — Jerry Holsten, former principal at South Kitsap High School and the current human resources director for the South Kitsap School District, has been elevated to the post of executive director of human resources.

Holsten has served as HR director and special projects for the last year. He fills the vacancy left by Assistant Superintendent Misty Dieffenbach, who departed the district earlier this spring. He was principal at South Kitsap High for 10 years and earlier served as principal at Selah High School and assistant principal at Rochester High School.

Holsten facilitated several large district-level initiatives over the past few years, including transitioning South Kitsap School District from the K-6, 7-9, 10-12 grade structure to D-5 elementary, 6-8 middle school and 9-12 high school. He also coordinated a response plan to meet recommendations from an Office of Civil Rights review and worked to implement a 4/4-course schedule at South Kitsap High.

“I believe in empowering staff while providing the support needed for them to be successful,” Hosten said in a news release. “My background as a building principal will help connect our schools and the district to support student success.”

Holsten earned a bachelor’s in education, a master’s in educational administration and principal’s credential from Western Washington University.

“Jerry is detail-oriented and uses effective facilitation skills to get projects completed,” said Karst Brandsma, the school district’s superintendent. “He is responsive when issues arise and will work well with diverse audiences and address employee and association matters fairly.”