(The Center Square) – Seattle Public Schools is set to hire Ben Shuldiner, current superintendent of the Lansing School District in Michigan, as the next leader of Washington state’s largest school district.
On Wednesday, the Seattle School Board unanimously authorized contract negotiations with Shuldiner to finalize hiring him. Candidate identities were kept confidential throughout the process, per state law RCW 42.56.230, to protect the privacy of those currently in leadership roles at other districts, as the statute shields personal information in files for appointees or elected officials.
Last month, the board moved to name “Candidate Seven” – Shuldiner – as the finalist to be the district’s next superintendent.
Several board members praised Shuldiner’s financial and operational expertise, as he has served in education leadership roles in Michigan and New York for more than 20 years. Shuldiner has served as superintendent in Lansing since 2021. During that time, the district saw a 26% increase in graduation rate, a 15% increase in attendance, and a true increase in district enrollment for the first time in decades, according to Seattle Public Schools.
Board members noted Shuldiner’s experience in budgeting as he successfully increased the Lansing School District’s fund balance by over $40 million. Seattle Public Schools faced a budget gap of approximately $100 million that led to a plan to close 17 to 21 schools in order to save about $30 million However, pushback from teachers and families led to the district scrapping any school closure plans and relying on levy renewals to secure long-term financial stability for the district.
“Ben Shuldiner brings exceptional financial and operational expertise and clear and precise insights on Seattle’s budget challenges,” Joe Mizrahi, school board member, said in a statement. “Perhaps more importantly, he brings a clarity of vision and ability to communicate that vision with candor that will bring focus and momentum to our district.”
Prior to serving as superintendent of the Lansing School District, Shuldiner founded and served as principal of the High School for Public Service, a public school in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y., for 10 years.
In February, Shuldiner came up short in becoming the Clark County superintendent in Las Vegas, Nev., the fourth largest school district in the U.S. An article from Lansing-based WILX 10 quoted Shuldiner saying he was looking to remain at Lansing School District as long as he could and was not actively searching for a new job.
Eight months later, Shuldiner is moving west. On Wednesday night, Shuldiner said he believes Seattle is his permanent home.
“Seattle is an incredible city, it’s an incredibly vibrant place with loving adults and brilliant children,” Shuldiner said during a school board meeting on Wednesday. “I believe our goal today is to make Seattle the single greatest urban school district in America.”
