Gary Neal, Interim Superintendent – Sequim School District No. 323
Sequim School District’s interim superintendent Gary Neal began his new duties on July 1, 2015, after former Superintendent Kelly Shea accepted a position as superintendent at the East Valley School District in Spokane Valley. Mr. Neal joined the Sequim School District in July 2014 as the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning. Prior to that, he served as principal at West Valley High School in the Spokane area for 9 years and served 24 years of his career in the Spokane School District as a teacher, coach, advisor, and building administrator at the middle and high school levels. Sequim School District has a student population of approximately 2,900 in grades K-12. As Sequim’s leader, he says “It is my hope to provide our students with a modernized infrastructure which creates a safe and cohesive learning environment that equips each student for the 21st Century.”
Read more about Gary Neal in the Sequim Gazette: http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/304445771.html
Patricia Beathard, Superintendent – Brinnon School District No. 46
Brinnon School District welcomes Patricia “Trish” Beathard as its new Superintendent for the 2015-2016 school year. Former Superintendent Wally Lis had previously shared a part-time superintendency at both Brinnon and Quilcene school districts, and has accepted a full-time superintendent position at Quilcene leaving an opening at Brinnon. As a new member of the Brinnon community in 2014, Ms. Beathard previously taught grades 3-5 at the Brinnon School of 50 students in grades pre-k through 8, and stated that, “It is my goal for the Brinnon School to be a source of pride for the community and a place where students make great progress.” Her career history includes a variety of educational experiences in addition to serving as an elementary principal and director of elementary education in Texas.
Read more about Trish Beathard in the Port Townsend Leader: http://www.ptleader.com/news/education/brinnon-teacher-tapped-to-lead-district/article_5ad1dee2-f900-11e4-8fdd-a35af269d891.html
Rick Thompson, Superintendent – Chimacum School District No. 49
New Superintendent of Chimacum schools Rick Thompson says he hopes to, “Develop the relationships necessary to help students learn at high levels.” Being raised and educated in the state of Washington brought Mr. Thompson professional opportunities in Federal Way, Tacoma, Lynden, rural eastern Washington, and San Juan Islands with experience ranging from coach to teaching, principal to superintendent. His predecessor Rich Stewart served Chimacum schools as interim superintendent for the past two years and retired his position in June 2015. Chimacum schools have a K-12 enrollment of approximately 1,075 students.
Read more about Rick Thompson in the Port Townsend Leader: http://www.ptleader.com/news/education/chimacum-finds-perfect-match-among-superintendent-finalists/article_affef258-bd53-11e4-9071-a7e5f4cacdbc.htmlTina Schulz (August 31, 2015)
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