SEQUIM — Sequim School District’s interim superintendent is Rob Clark.
After spending about 40 minutes in executive session Tuesday night deliberating between two finalists — Clark and former Port Angeles Superintendent Jane Pryne — the board reconvened into public session to announce their choice.
Board director Jim Stoffer made the motion to name Clark the interim superintendent — pending a successful background check and contract negotiation — effective July 1.
“This decision is made after intensive discussions and review of the comments submitted by the public [at Monday’s interviews],” Stoffer said.
The motion carried unanimously, with each board member taking the opportunity to speak in support of the decision and of the process as a whole.
“We had two really good candidates, and it was a pleasure to interview them both,” board Vice President Brandino Gibson said, speaking via conference call.
His words were echoed by board President Brian Kuh, who added that it was a “pleasantly difficult decision to make” between Clark and Pryne.
Directors Robin Henrikson and Heather Short both thanked the public for their comments and input, with Short specifically mentioning that the community’s feedback helped her make up her mind.
Clark is expected to be in Sequim by July 1 after finishing his responsibilities as superintendent of the Milton-Freewater School District in Oregon.
Clark has worked as superintendent of the Milton-Freewater School District, just south of Walla Walla across the Washington-Oregon state line, since 2013.
He has also served as a superintendent in several Washington state school districts, including the Quilcene School District, as well as the Cascade School District in Leavenworth and the Rearden-Edwall and Washtucna school districts in Eastern Washington.
