By Harmony Weinberg | Edmonds School District

Public invited to hear from finalists at community forum Monday, March 2

LYNNWOOD –  More than 35 applied, but only seven will make their way in front of the Edmonds School District Board of Directors to become the next superintendent. Closed session interviews take place early next week. The community is invited to hear from the top candidates on the evening of Monday, March 2. 

“We were extremely impressed with the talented professionals from all over the country who want to lead our district,” said School Board President Dr. Deborah Kilgore. “We look forward to our strongest candidates speaking with our students, staff and families to show they are the best fit for our community.”

The School Board hired Ray and Associates, Inc. last fall to lead the superintendent search. The consultant conducted more than 30 focus groups and nearly 400 people responded to an online survey where they could weigh in on what qualities and criteria they wanted in their next superintendent. 

Superintendent search timeline:

• Thursday, Feb. 20: 
  • The School Board met and selected seven semi-finalists.
• Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 24-25: 
  • Interviews of semi-finalists take place in a closed session to ensure confidentiality to candidates at this stage of the hiring process.
• Monday, March 2:
  • Top candidates will meet with district stakeholders in the morning.
  • Community forum at Meadowdale High School:
    • Finalist #1 5:30 p.m.
    • Finalist #2 6:30 p.m.
    • Finalist#3 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 3:
  • The Board will hold final interviews with finalists in a closed session. 
  • A vote to extend an offer to a candidate is expected.
• Late March/early April:
  • New superintendent announced.

Qualities and criteria
All applicants were evaluated based on the following qualities and criteria determined by the Edmonds School District community:

• Possesses excellent people skills, presents a positive image of the district and will listen to input and make a decision when necessary.
• Possesses the leadership skills required to equitably respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by an ethnically and culturally diverse community.
• Inspires trust, has high levels of self-confidence and optimism, and models high standards of integrity and personal performance.
• Is a strong communicator; speaking, listening and writing. 
• Experience dealing with employee representative groups/unions.
• Strongly committed to a “student first” philosophy in all decisions.
• Possesses the ability to enhance student performance, especially in identifying and closing or narrowing the gaps in student achievement.
• Promotes a positive and professional environment for district employees and Board.
• Commitment to and experience with diverse genders, races, and social-economic groups.
• Demonstrates a deep understanding of special education and English language learners that meets the individualized needs of each student.

The top candidates considered are from Florida, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin. Candidates say the main reasons for applying to the Edmonds School District are the location and size of the district.