PORT TOWNSEND — Mark Decker has resigned as principal of Blue Heron Middle School to work as a principal in Aberdeen and has been replaced by the school’s former athletic director for the next school year.
“Aberdeen is giving me an opportunity to further develop my leadership skills in a financially secure district [that has] a strategy for improvement,” Decker, 46, said in his resignation letter dated Aug. 4.
“The principal position gives me the ability to corroboratively work with a progressive and experienced district leadership team [and offers] the chance to move up within the organization.”
Thomas Kent, who was working as a part-time athletic director, will take over for Decker, the Port Townsend School Board decided Monday after receiving Decker’s letter.
Prior to the athletic directorship, Kent was a full-time vice principal.
Kent will earn $84,530. Decker was earning $86,144.
Decker follows Tom Opstad, who began work as the Aberdeen superintendent on July 1, 2010, after working as the Port Townsend superintendent for five years.
Decker said money was the motivating factor in his decision to leave the job he has held for seven years — in two ways.
In Port Townsend, he was at the top of the salary range. In Aberdeen, he will earn $98,000.
He said he also has lost confidence in the Port Townsend School District’s financial stability.
That began with Superintendent Gene Laes’ request in May that administrators amend their contracts and accept 3 percent pay cuts.
“The 3 percent was no big deal,” Decker said.
“But we had reserves of $260,000 and a payroll of $900,000 a year, and I thought the system wouldn’t have enough to cover payroll.”
Manager of fiscal/personnel services Amy Khile said this fear was unfounded.
“Every district is in the same boat and is trying to cut costs,” she said.
“But we are working to maintain our fund balance, and making payroll is not an issue.”
Decker said he had applied for the Aberdeen job after hearing about the position from the district’s business manager, David Herrington, who previously worked as the Port Townsend School District facilities director.
Decker also said Aberdeen’s superintendent, Opstad, was a factor in his choice.
Decker will be principal of Miller Junior High School, a 500-student facility containing seventh and eighth grades.
Blue Heron has 421 students in fourth through eighth grades.
Decker said a lack of upward mobility was an issue for him in Port Townsend and that that had led him to apply for a position in Hoquiam Schools earlier this year.
He made both the Hoquiam and Aberdeen applications with Laes’ knowledge, he said.
While at Blue Heron, Decker said he developed valuable new programs and established new relationships.
“I think I have left behind some real improvement in the school,” he said.
“But the last two years have been the most difficult with all the funding challenges.
“My biggest disappointment was that the administrative team never seemed to gel.”
He added: “I worked for three superintendents in seven years.
“I think that will be different in Aberdeen.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.