PORT ANGELES — What will the Port Angeles School Board do next?
Superintendent Gary Cohn said that his acceptance of the superintendent’s position at Everett School District is contingent upon the Port Angeles School Board releasing him from his contract.
Director Nancy J. McLaughlin said that the board probably will likely discuss Cohn during Monday’s meeting, but added that it would be School Board President Steve Baxter’s choice.
The School Board will meet at 7 p.m. in the district’s Central Services Building, 216 E. Fourth St.
“That’s a personnel matter that would normally be discussed in executive session,” McLaughlin said Saturday.
“I have not heard from Steve or [Vice President] Lonny [Linn] about what they intend to do on Monday, but surely we have to get the process started sometime soon.”
Baxter and Linn could not be reached for comment on Friday or Saturday.
Baxter released a statement in a school district news release.
“We still have a lot of work ahead of us, particularly with the national and state economic crisis and its impact on our schools, but Gary has positioned us well for the work which must take place during the next few months,” Baxter said.
“We wish him continued success in the Everett School District and look forward to the challenge of finding our next superintendent.”
Cohn said on Friday: “The board is going to have to decide how to go about the replacement process. I suspect they will consider it in an upcoming meeting fairly soon.”
McLaughlin said Cohn’s departure is loss to the whole community. She cited last year’s successful United Way fundraising campaign lead by Cohn and his wife, Susan Cohn.
“I’m devastated,” McLaughlin said. “I think that it’s a significant loss to the community as a whole, not just the school district, but the community.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladaily news.com.
