The Puyallup School District will get outside help finding its next superintendent.
School Board members said Thursday that they intend to hire a consulting firm in the search for retiring Superintendent Tony Apostle’s replacement. Apostle announced last week that he’ll step down at the end of the upcoming school year.
“This position is going to attract stars from across the nation,” board President Cindy Poysnick said after Thursday’s board meeting. “We want to make sure we have all the tools in our toolbox to find that star.”
The district, which is the second-largest in Pierce County with more than 21,500 students, is taking a different track than Tacoma Public Schools. That district also has a retiring superintendent, but plans to first look internally for his replacement.
Puyallup leaders said a consulting firm will help them find qualified candidates and engage the public in the search. The process will include several chances for public input, district officials said.
“I want to make sure this process is open and transparent,” Poysnick said Thursday.
The district used a Spokane-area consulting firm in its last superintendent search in 2004. The firm solicited applicants nationwide, and an advisory committee of district staffers and community members provided input.
Apostle, who was the district’s executive director of administrative services, ultimately was chosen.
The 60-year-old wrote in a letter to board members last week that he’ll miss working with the district’s “strong, dedicated and passionate professionals” upon his retirement but will “continue strong leadership through the next year,” maintaining momentum in addressing issues such as grade configuration and grading practices at the secondary schools.
When the School Board picks his replacement, it will have some new faces. Three seats are up for election this fall, and two board members – Poysnick and Diana Seeley – aren’t seeking re-election. A third board member, Chris Ihrig, is running to keep his seat against challenger Kathy Rebar Uphaus.
The district hasn’t yet formally requested proposals from search firms, but it already has received some inquiries, officials said.
The School Board is expected to make a decision on a search firm in September or October.
Sara Schilling: 253-552-7058 sara.schilling@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/street
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.