CHIMACUM — The Chimacum School Board is expected to finalize the hiring of a new superintendent at a meeting Wednesday.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the high school library, 91 West Valley Road.
At that time, the board is expected to craft a final salary and benefits package for submission to San Juan Islands School District Superintendent Rick Thompson, who told the Peninsula Daily News on Feb. 25 that he intends to accept the position.
Thompson will take over from interim Superintendent Rich Stewart, who is serving his second year and has opted to continue the retirement he interrupted to take the Chimacum job in 2013.
Stewart said that Thompson’s salary will be between $120,000 and $125,000 per year.
Thompson will have an active role in the resubmitting of a school bond measure, according to Kevin Miller, Chimacum School Board president.
A $34.8 million construction bond proposal was defeated by voters Feb. 10, falling nine points short of the required 60 percent majority for passage.
A bond measure most likely will appear on the February 2016 ballot, Miller said.
Thompson is scheduled to arrive on July 1 although he will spend time in the area to get acquainted with the community prior to that time, Stewart said.
Thirteen people applied for the post. They were winnowed down to five semifinalists and three finalists.
The 1,000-student Chimacum School system includes a high school, middle school, elementary school and alternative school on a single campus as well as a primary school in another location.
The bond measure, which required a 60 percent majority for passage, received a slim majority with 2,033 votes, or 50.88 percent, in favor and 1,963 votes, or 49.12 percent, opposed.
It would have funded improvements including the renovation of Chimacum Creek Primary School, rebuilding the elementary school and the construction of an athletic facility.
Miller said the new schedule will allow the district more time to better explain the bond, adding that many school bonds need to be submitted multiple times before passage.
Miller said the bond could be changed to incorporate public feedback about the district’s priorities and where the money should be spent.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
