SEQUIM — Four Washington state school administrators were named as finalists for the position of Sequim superintendent of schools on Friday.
“The board planned to bring three back, but all four were great,” said Sarah Bedinger, president of the Sequim School Board.
“None of the four candidates are currently superintendents, but each has as many responsibilities in larger school districts as they could without actually being superintendent,” Bedinger said.
Fifteen community observers were invited to a Friday interview session, then were asked for their comments on each candidate.
“We had so many positive comments about each candidate,” she said.
The finalists selected from a field of 26 candidates in February were:
■ Kelly Shea, executive director of human services at Mead School District in Mead.
■ Robert Kuehl, assistant superintendent at Tumwater School District in Tumwater.
■ Mellody Matthes, assistant superintendent at Tukwila School District in Tukwila.
■ Robert Maxwell, executive director of special programs, Bethel School District, Bethel.
A fifth finalist dropped out of the race after being selected for another job.
David Engle of Lawrenceville, N.J., accepted an offer to head the Port Townsend School District on Friday.
Each of the four Sequim candidates will visit the city’s schools on March 19-12.
“We want to see how our community reacts to them,” Bedinger said.
Attend meetings
Finalists will attend meetings scheduled for the district staff, students and union representatives.
A final interview with the school board will occur at the end of the day, followed by a community forum in the evening.
At each meeting, feedback forms will be provided for the community to offer their thoughts and opinions to the board about each of the finalists.
The school board expects to make a final decision at a meeting at 2 p.m.,March 23, in the district board room at the Sequim School District building, 503 North Sequim Ave.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
