By RICHARD WALKER and KIPP ROBERTSON
POULSBO — The job gave Dan Weedin a new appreciation for the work that school boards do.
In his time as a North Kitsap School Board member, the board grappled with declines in enrollment and funding; laid off teachers and closed a school; and ended its contract with one superintendent and hired another.
“We had individual program situations pop up over time. Heck, we even had a conversation about dogs in the classroom,” he said Oct. 9. “I don’t regret any of it. But it’s time for me to move on.
Weedin, the board’s president, planned to resign from the school board during the Oct. 9 meeting. He didn’t want to discuss his reasons for resigning prior to the meeting, but said growing commitments as a business consultant, speaker and author are factors.
As he took a call from the Herald early Oct. 9, he was working on his second book, which is due in November to U.K.-based publisher Global Professional Publishing; and prepping to lead a 10 a.m. webinar for insurance agents, “Leveraging Social Media.” Later, he would consult with a new client in the Midwest, then visit the school district offices to turn in his iPad.
Weedin said his resignation letter would be read at the meeting. He expected the school board would immediately appoint a new president from among its members, then begin the process of recruiting applicants for Weedin’s position from District 2 — roughly, Pearson and Vinland areas.
According to the district’s website, the school board has 90 days to appoint a successor. If that deadline is not met, Educational Service District No. 114 — an arm of the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction — will make the appointment.
The appointee will serve the remaining year in Weedin’s term. School board members are not paid.
Weedin, 49, is married and has two adult children in their mid-20s. He was appointed to the board in 2009 to complete the term of Dan Delaney, who resigned because of health issues. Weedin was elected to a full term in November 2011. The school board made him president in August 2012 when Kathleen Dassell resigned from the board.
“For a period of time here, we were in a crisis when it came to funding schools,” Weedin said. “We made some dramatic reductions. But we survived to a point that, today, we’re in the best shape we’ve been in since I joined the board.”
Weedin said his decision to resign was not sudden, and that he made up his mind to do so on Oct. 3.
He said he doesn’t plan to seek elective office again — “My public career is over. I’m not a politician,” he said — but added that the experience gave him a “greater appreciation” for the work that school boards do.
“Looking back, when I came in I had no idea about the depth and number of issues that school boards have to deal with —academically, economically and strategically,” he said. “There’s more politics involved in it than I imagined. I have a much greater appreciation for the tremendous amount of work and energy that school board members everywhere have to deal with.”
Weedin did a good job leading meetings and did well as a spokesperson for the board, board Vice President Scott Henden said.
“He’s a great guy,” Henden said. “He does the right things — does the best he can for the district.”
Outside Weedin’s duties as board president, Henden understands Weedin has been busy with his day job, which includes travel.
Henden would be willing to take over as president, he said. However, he wouldn’t be upset if he was not selected, citing the additional responsibilities.
The president presides at all meetings and signs all papers and documents required by law, or authorized by action of the board. The president conducts and manages the meetings and is the official recipient of correspondence, and consults with the superintendent on issues such as board meetings, study sessions and retreat planning. The president speaks to the public and media on behalf of the board. “I’m willing to do it, not heartbroken if I can’t,” Henden said, adding that he will support whomever is selected.
