PORT TOWNSEND — Port Townsend School District is seeking a new principal for Blue Heron Middle School after the current principal announced she accepted a job at Everett School District for the next school year.
Current Blue Heron and OCEAN Principal Theresa Campbell has been in the position for the past three years. Her position will be filled by two people.
The district decided to create a new half-time administrative position that will oversee the Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) programs for the district, including OCEAN, and is hiring a new principal to focus on Blue Heron, the district said.
Sarah Rubenstein, the current district communications director and Maritime Discovery Schools project director, accepted the OCEAN principal and ALE director position. She also serves in another half-time role as the Place Based Learning director, and that allows her to continue her work with the Maritime Discovery Schools.
Applications for the Blue Heron position will remain open until filled, but the district hopes to hire a new principal by early July.
A virtual meet-and-greet with the top candidates is set for 5 p.m. June 28. More information will be posted at the district’s website at www.ptschools.org, according to a press release. The application and a list of qualifications needed can be found at www.ptschools.org/employment.
OCEAN (Opportunity, Community, Experience, Academics, Navigation) is a kindergarten through 12th-grade school in the Port Townsend School District.
It is an independent-study ALE program for students in grades K-12 supported with classroom, experiential and expeditionary experiences, and connections with parents and the community, the district said.
Rubenstein has worked for the district for eight years.
“I am excited for the opportunity to lead the OCEAN School and help further the vision for Alternative Learning in the Port Townsend School District,” Rubenstein said in the release.
“In my combined roles I will be able to support place-based learning across the entire district, and the place-based and experiential learning emphasis of OCEAN.”
Incoming Superintendent Linda Rosenbury hosted a community forum last Wednesday for the OCEAN staff and families to meet Rubenstein, understand the new role and hear feedback, the release said.
OCEAN teacher Daniel Molotsky said he’s supportive of Rubenstein taking over the role.
“Sarah will be great,” he said in the press release. “We already collaborate through district professional learning.
“She has always been super positive and supportive of OCEAN.”