SEQUIM — The Sequim School District has hired Paul Wieneke as executive director of human resources.
Wieneke replaces Karen Sande, who retired in early November.
“Karen served the district for 28 years, and we wish her all the best in her retirement,” said Superintendent Gary Neal.
“That being said, we are now three months into the school year, and we are delighted to have someone come along at this time who is so capable and ready to step in and do what I’m sure will be a fantastic job.”
Wieneke has more than 30 years of experience as a certificated educator.
Starting out as a para-professional, Wieneke has held positions as an elementary teacher, principal and superintendent intern, all in Alaska. He and his wife, Beth, returned to the Lower 48 after 25 years in Alaska.
He served as principal of Blix Elementary in Tacoma Public Schools for five years and the past two years as an Indistar steward for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Indistar is an online school improvement planning tool for school teams to inform, coach, sustain, track and report improvement activities.
“I’m a very service-oriented person, and I believe in building on people’s strengths,” Wieneke said. “I subscribe to the growth mindset.”
Wieneke is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara. He received a master’s degree and earned an administrator’s endorsement from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. He is an avid cyclist and musician.
“I’m looking forward to relocating to Sequim and staying here a long time,” said Wieneke. “I always knew this was a great place for families and for students.”