Sequim School Board adds appointee

Board directors unanimously agreed to appoint Maren Halvorsen

SEQUIM — Maren Halvorsen said she knows how critical public schools can be to smaller communities. Her graduating class in Burns, Ore., was about 90.

“Public schools also build community in ways that are important, especially in small towns,” she told Sequim School Board members on Monday night.

“As members of the school board, you are important as the link between the community and the school,” she said. “You have your feet in both places.”

Halvorsen herself is now part of that link after board directors unanimously agreed to appoint the former history teacher to its five-member board.

The board’s vote ends a months-long vacancy stemming from candidate Kristi Schmeck’s resignation despite being elected to the seat.

Schmeck attempted to drop out of the race after filing in May 2021 but her name stayed on the ballot, and she received the most votes in both primary and general elections later in the year.

The district received eight applications for the open position, trimmed that list to five, and two of those finalists — Kenneth Jennings Jr. and Sharon Schubert — dropped out before the scheduled Monday interviews.

Board directors held open interviews with Halvorsen, Jill Hay and Susanne Scott late Monday afternoon before selecting Halvorsen.

“All the candidates were just so well prepared. They all brought a wealth of experience, a real enthusiasm for students a real heart for teachers,” board vice president Patrice Johnston said. “The comments were insightful and courageous. I just heard so many great things.

“I think (Halvorsen) will bring a real rigor and … enthusiasm for students.”

Halvorsen will be eligible to serve for another 20 months before her position and three others are up for election, those of board president Eric Pickens and directors Larry Jeffryes and Jim Stoffer.

In an application for the open position, Halvorsen said, “I have solid administrative experience, work collaboratively, and have experience with staff recruitment and retention. I care deeply about students, schools and parents, and would like an opportunity to serve the community of Sequim.”

On Monday, she identified three key areas for the board to consider: attracting and retaining experienced, quality teachers; establishing a safe campus for students; and up-to-date curriculum, textbooks and other materials.

She said the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare some inequities for some students, particularly when it comes to technology access, that should be addressed.

“We know our students have struggled and struggling still but we know they can be successful,” Halvorsen said. “They put one foot in front of the other and came back to school.”

Seeking a super

Halvorsen joins a board in the process of selecting a permanent superintendent.

The district is working with Hank Harris of Human Capital Enterprises to fill the district’s lead administrator role for the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

Board directors in mid-January agreed to a timeline for the superintendent search. Candidate documents will be reviewed today though Monday, with initial interviews scheduled for Feb. 25, followed by community stakeholder group interviews March 10.

Board members are slated to interview finalists on March 12 and identify their preferred candidates the following day.

By late March, the district expects to name its new superintendent, who will start July 1.

The vacancy was posted on several professional websites on Dec. 17, school officials said.

Board members in mid-December hired Joan Zook, a Sequim resident and former superintendent of schools for the Shelton School District, to serve as interim superintendent. Prior to her hire, Jane Pryne was interim superintendent for the previous 13 months, before resigning the position in late 2021.

In her Monday interview, Halvorsen said she would like to see the district stabilize its administration with its next pick of superintendent.

Among the traits she’d like to see in the district’s next top administrator, Halvorsen mentioned “transparency and discretion, someone who is collaborative,” as well as a person who is respectful of school staff.

Other candidates

Hay, who moved to Sequim a little more than 20 years ago, said addressing the impacts of the pandemic are the most important thing before the district.

She urged the hiring of an intervention expert to support areas of the greatest educational losses and to consider hosting science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) camps to help recover those losses.

She spent the last 10 years of her career as a professional development staffer for educators.

“I know that learning does not occur overnight for everyone,” Hay said.

She said the board should consider a long-term commitment to bolstering professional development for its staff.

Scott said public schools are “an integral part of our community” in her Monday interview.

“I am a believer that education is a game changer,” she said.

Scott echoed Hay’s sentiments that the needs brought forth by the pandemic need to be addressed first.

Flexibility is key for local districts, she said, in addressing those needs.

________

Michael Dashiell is the editor of the Sequim Gazette of the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which also is composed of other Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News and Forks Forum. Reach him at editor@sequimgazette.com.

More in News

Port Townsend to test sewer system with smoke, dye

The city of Port Townsend will test its sewer… Continue reading

JUMP! Playground to close for renovations

Jefferson County Parks and Recreation will close the JUMP! Playground… Continue reading

Barcy Fisher, left, and Patti Buckland have been selected as the 2024 Marrowstone Island Citizens of the Year.
Fisher, Buckland honored as Marrowstone Island citizens of year

Barcy Fisher and Patty Buckland were named Marrowstone Island’s 2024… Continue reading

About 800 people from Jefferson and Clallam counties spill out from the steps of the Jefferson County Courthouse onto Jefferson Street in Port Townsend on Monday to take part in a National Day of Protest organized by the 50501 Movement, which stands for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement.” (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Hundreds protest actions of Trump administration

Activists cite USAID, worry about Treasury, impacts of immigration

Peninsula to welcome Canadian visitors

Celebration of Coho passengers planned

Fish barrier removal to impact highway traffic

Portions of roadway to have long-term closures

Cheryl Gertsch of Sequim, left, talks with Krista Meyers, project manager with Cascadia Solar of Port Townsend during the annual Home Building, Remodeling and Energy Expo on Saturday at Sequim Middle School. The event, hosted by the North Peninsula Building Association, featured a variety of booths, displays and presentations dedicated to home construction, repair and improvement. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Building expo

Cheryl Gertsch of Sequim, left, talks with Krista Meyers, project manager with… Continue reading

Sunlight reflects off the skull of Gunther, the California gray whale carcass on display on the pier in Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
The golden hour

Sunlight reflects off the skull of Gunther, the California gray whale carcass… Continue reading

The state is looking to turn Miller Peninsula, a 2,800-acre undeveloped park east of Sequim, into a destination state park with a visitors center, cabins, picnic areas and more. Some locals oppose the move. (Warren Wilson)
Opponents want park to stay day use

State updates plan for Miller Peninsula

Sequim staff plan to send a proposal to the state this month to potentially fund sewer and water lift stations on West Sequim Bay Road using new developments’ property taxes through a Tax Increment Area by Sequim Bay in a 363-acre area. It would require the city to prove that developments in the area wouldn’t happen without the stations. The city council also would have to approve it. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim exploring funding mechanism to incentivize development

City would create district, repurpose tax dollars for lift stations

Fred Rix of Port Angeles, right, looks over floral arrangements with Ann O’Neill, an employee of Angel Crest Gardens of Port Angeles at a temporary stand at First and Race streets in Port Angeles on Valentine’s Day. Rix said he wanted roses for his wife, Wendy Rix, for their 55th wedding anniversary. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Valentine’s roses

Fred Rix of Port Angeles, right, looks over floral arrangements with Ann… Continue reading

Port Angeles-owned Lancashire Heeler “Ki” poses with handler and co-owner Chelsy Pendleton of Utah with their ribbon. Ki placed as Best of Opposite Sex at the 149th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
PA dog places at famous show

Lancashire Heeler wins ribbon at Westminster