PORT TOWNSEND — One down, one to go.
The selection of a new superintendent of schools is expected to come to a close tonight, with the finalist scheduled to be announced at the end of an evening executive session.
The session will begin at 8 p.m. in the Lincoln Building, 450 Fir St., with the announcement scheduled for 8:45 p.m.
The selection of a successor to Tom Opstad, who announced in March that he had taken a position in Aberdeen for the next school year, was compressed into a shorter time period than what is common for such decisions.
But the School Board narrowed 24 applicants to six, and then to three.
When one dropped out, the last round included a straight-up comparison between Thomas Churchill, 48, superintendent of the Hood Canal School District in Shelton, and Mellody Matthes, 50, executive director of human resources for the Oak Harbor School District on Whidbey Island.
Daylong visit
On Monday, Matthes began the day with a facilities tour before meeting with administrators, public officials, staff and the community.
She finished the day with a dinner with the School Board.
Today, Churchill will run the same course.
Over the past few weeks, Matthes has been checked out by board members while performing her own due diligence about Port Townsend.
“The demographics are changing,” she said. “It’s becoming more of an older population, and we need to find ways to get that population more involved in the school system.”
Matthes said this can be accomplished, even for people who have no stake in the schools.
“If we are putting on a school play, we can perform a snippet at a retirement home,” she said.
“Or if we have a culinary program, we can invite community members over for a meal.”
This community outreach isn’t entirely benevolent, as it is designed to get the aging population to support the next school tax election.
In the afternoon, Matthes met with a roomful of staff members, with advice about promoting the district.
“You all need to become ambassadors for the schools in the community,” she said.
“If you go into a supermarket and say, ‘These kids are behaving terribly,’ that is the message that goes out.
“There are a lot of good things to talk about,” she said. “You need to keep your mouth shut about the bad things and just share them with your spouse.”
‘Celebrate successes’
She continued the theme at a public forum in the evening.
“The school district needs to celebrate their successes,” she said.
“We should be proud of what we are doing and get the word out, so we can pass more bonds and improve our facilities and continue essential programs.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
