(The Center Square) – Seattle Public Schools has narrowed its superintendent search down to two candidates, but their identities will remain confidential until the school board appoints the new leader of Washington’s largest school district.
During a brief meeting on Wednesday, School Board President Gina Topp explained that both candidates’ identities are confidential because they currently hold leadership positions.
“This will ensure a fair and professional process that protects the candidates and their current districts,” Topp said during the meeting.
Topp noted that “candidate seven” and “candidate eight” specifically stood out to school board members during interviews conducted earlier this month.
The school district has been searching for its next superintendent since Brent Jones announced in March that he was stepping down from the position. Jones, who served as superintendent for three years, earned $348,395 under his final contract with Seattle Public Schools.
Fred Podesta has been serving as the interim superintendent of Seattle Public Schools since Sept. 4, with the school board approving a salary of $320,355 for him.
In August, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, the executive search firm hired to find the next Seattle Public Schools superintendent, presented survey findings to the board from a study conducted over the summer.
According to the survey, 62% of respondents want the next superintendent to prioritize students’ readiness for the next grade and ultimately college, and 55% of respondents want student and employee safety to be a major focus.
The majority of feedback HYA received showed the desired characteristics of the next superintendent include student focus, financial expertise, general experience and accountability.
The two finalists will present a 100-day plan as part of the next round of interviews with the school board. This will be an opportunity for them to describe their vision for Seattle Public Schools’ future.
Whoever is ultimately selected will be the fourth superintendent for Seattle Public Schools since 2014.
