POULSBO — After a period of rapid-fire principal resignation at the secondary level of the North Kitsap school district, each junior and high school in the district once again has a principal as Susan Wistrand was approved by the school board July 13 to replace Ed Serra as an interim principal at Kingston Junior High School.

Serra resigned late in June to accept a superintendent position in an Oregon school district. Wistrand steps into the KJH principal position after serving as half-time assistant principal at the school while also serving as an assistant principal at Poulsbo Elementary.

Wistrand will serve as interim KJH principal until the search process for a permanent principal can begin again in the spring of 2007.

“My dad is retired military, and every couple of years we moved, and I found that every new change is a new opportunity,” Wistrand said, noting that she has been thoroughly impressed by the KJH staff’s passion for their profession, students and community. “KJH’s staff is one of the most talented group of teachers I’ve worked with.”

“I think that her focus will probably be on maintaining not just the status quo … but maintaining what’s been going on at Kingston Junior High School and also continuing the vision that’s already in place,” said NKSD board director Melanie Mohler after approving Wistrand for the position.

Mohler said Wistrand’s experience across the spectrum of childhood education should be a positive factor in her leadership.

Wistrand, touting 30 years of education experience, also brings administrative knowledge from the high school level as she also served as an assistant principal at North Kitsap High School from 2003-2005 and also at North Buncombe High School in Asheville, N.C. for five years prior to coming to North Kitsap.

During her time at NKHS, Wistrand was heavily involved with the process for developing a system for culminating projects.

At KJH she will be involved with the culmination of the district’s grade level transition work, which will take effect in the 2007-2008 school year, changing NKSD from grade 7-9 junior highs to grade 6-8 middle schools, providing for 9-12 high schools.

“Ms. Wistrand, in partnership with (KJH) assistant principal Bill Breakey, will make an outstanding administrative team,” said NKSD Supt. Gene Medina. “(They) will guide the school community through this coming school year’s preparation for Kingston Junior High School to become Kingston Middle School in September 2007.”

Medina said the hire was a “wonderful opportunity for all involved.”

Wistrand was selected by those she will be most directly involved with as the KJH staff and representatives from the school’s leadership team provided the feedback that led to her appointment. After serving at the school, Wistrand is familiar with the school culture and her colleagues, but this assignment is her first-ever head principalship.

In addition to the biggest piece on her plate — providing leadership to the prep work that will be made in the interest of the grade level transition — Wistrand will also try to provide an ounce of consistency in a blender of change.

“She also has a strong background in curriculum development and collaborative problem solving,” said NKSD communications director Chris Case, adding, “She has a smile that just lights up a room.”

Wistrand will begin duties immediately, preparing for her first day with kids coming back to school Sept. 6.