PORT ORCHARD — Tim Winter is officially South Kitsap School District’s new superintendent.

Winter was sworn in to lead the school district at the school board’s meeting on July 17 in Port Orchard.

He succeeds Karst Brandsma, who retired at the end of the school year from his career in school administration in South Kitsap, Everett, Oak Harbor, Mount Baker and Bellingham. Brandsma became South Kitsap School District’s top administrator in 2016 when Dr. Michelle Reid left for a similar position at the Northshore School District.

Winter was chosen by the district’s board of directors Feb. 28 after a regional search was conducted after Brandsma announced his retirement plans. He was selected over finalist Shawn Woodward, superintendent of the Lake Pend Oreille School District in Sandpoint, Idaho.

The new superintendent at South Kitsap had led the Clarkston School District since taking on that role in 2014. Winter does have career roots in this area, however. He was a principal and assistant principal at Peninsula High School and taught at the elementary, middle and high-school grade levels over 28 years in education.

Rebecca Diehl, SKSD board president, called Winter a “relational leader with an obvious passion for education.”

She applauded his skills in nurturing educators within Peninsula School District so they could, in turn, “take care of the student.

“He understands the proud history of South Kitsap and has a strong vision and ability to lead us forward into the future,” Diehl said at the time of his appointment.

Winter, who began work at district offices on July 1, said he was impressed with the programs and academics at South Kitsap.

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

The new South Kitsap district leader also will face the enduring challenge other superintendents have attempted — and failed — to surmount in past years: the district’s failure to convince the South Kitsap community to pass capital construction bonds to build new school facilities. The most-recent school construction measure was passed over three decades ago.

New South Kitsap School District Superintendent Tim Winter joins members of the district’s board of directors: (left to right) Rebecca Diehl, board president; Greg Wall; Liz Sebren; Winter; Eric Gattenby; and Keith Garton. (SKSD photo)