PORT TOWNSEND — Mary Sepler, who announced her resignation as Grant Street Elementary School principal soon after her husband accepted a job in Bellingham, has found a position in the Bellingham School District.
Sepler, 55, is to become the new principal of Lowell Elementary School at the beginning of the next school year.
“I’m really excited about this,” she said.
“I feel a sense of emotion and grief because I love this place and I love teaching here.”
Her husband, Rick Sepler, resigned as Port Townsend development director in September after 8½ years in the post. He is now serving as the Bellingham city planning and community development director.
Mary Sepler has worked at the school at 1637 Grant St. since 1990, working in special education, as a classroom teacher, as a reading specialist and finally as principal, a job she began in 2012.
At that time, Sepler and Blue Heron Middle School Principal Diane Lashinsky were new to their jobs.
Lashinsky announced her resignation earlier this month, so the district will again begin a year with two new principals.
Lashinsky’s job was advertised April 10. The application period will close May 1.
Seven people have applied so far, according to district secretary Mary Colton.
Mary Sepler’s current annual salary is $84,416. In Bellingham, she will earn between $103,000 and $110,000, she said.
Bellingham School Superintendent Greg Baker spent April 17 at Grant Street talking to teachers and students about Sepler.
“As part of the process, I conducted a site visit to Ms. Sepler’s current school, and it was evident how much she is beloved by students, families and staff there,” Baker wrote in a statement on the school system’s website that announced Sepler’s hiring.
“I know the same will soon be true at Lowell.”
Sepler’s replacement at Grant Street is Lisa Condran, a third-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Mount Vernon who was selected from 12 applicants in March.
Condran, 47, will receive about $85,000 a year, Port Townsend School District Superintendent David Engle has said.
Condran is scheduled to attend the school’s art walk from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today and is expected to spend the week of May 18 at Grant Street Elementary to shadow Sepler and become better acquainted with the school.
Grant Street Elementary has 310 students from kindergarten through third grade as well as 18 additional students in the OPEPO alternative education program.
The Seplers have not sold their house and plan to live in Port Townsend when they retire in eight to 10 years.
Mary Sepler said she is “a little scared” about the new job but expects a positive experience.
“This will be a good fit for me,” she said.
“It will be an opportunity for me to learn and grow, and I’m at my best when I’m learning and growing.”
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
