Pursuit for Seattle's next school superintendent escalates into autumn
Seattle Public Schools to Appoint New Superintendent by End of October 2025
The Seattle School Board is in the process of finding a new district leader, with the anticipated appointment scheduled for the end of October 2025. This timeline, different from the one in the spring, aims to have a new district leader in place by the first day of school.
The community feedback period has been extended until at least August 4, delaying the process further. The feedback gathered from staff, students, parents, residents, community organizations, and others will form the basis of a leadership profile to help recruit and screen candidates.
Parents at South Shore PK-8 School in South Seattle have expressed their values, which include diversity, dual-language programs, school-based staff, and support workers. They also sought more support for teachers, foreign languages in middle school, better curriculum, training for special education teachers, and protection for immigrant and refugee students. Erin Shinneman, a parent with children in the district, also emphasized the need for successful programs to be shared among schools and a superintendent who would pay attention to those not in the room.
Hodan Mohamed, a parent and special education advocate, wants a district leader who is transparent, knowledgeable about special education, and ensures language support for non-English speaking families. Rocco Nonis, a rising senior at Nathan Hale High School, expressed the desire for the new superintendent to address student addiction and drug use and provide resources to help students.
Gabriel de los Angeles, president of the Indian Parent Advisory Committee, criticized the district's treatment of Native families and neglect of Indian education. He wants an action- and solutions-oriented superintendent who can mediate conflicts. Some participants described major challenges, including getting timely information from the district and translations not always making sense.
Fred Podesta, the district's chief operations officer, is serving as the interim superintendent until June 30, 2023, or until a new superintendent is hired. The board will negotiate a new contract with Podesta, whose salary is $289,390.
Superintendent Brent Jones announced in March that he would leave in September and has been on medical leave since May. The updated timeline for the selection and hiring of the new superintendent indicates that the board is unlikely to have a new superintendent by the start of the school year in September 2025.
[1] Source: Seattle Times
[3] Source: Seattle School Board
[5] Source: Seattle Times
- The new Seattle Public Schools superintendent, due to be appointed by the end of October 2025, is expected to address concerns raised by parents and students, such as Erin Shinneman's call for successful programs to be shared among schools and Hodan Mohamed's desire for a district leader who is transparent and knowledgeable about special education.
- In preparation for the superintendent appointment, a leadership profile is being developed based on feedback gathered from the community, including concerns about health care, such as Rocco Nonis's request for the new superintendent to address student addiction and drug use.
- Public schools in Seattle may also face environmental issues, as emphasized by Gabriel de los Angeles, president of the Indian Parent Advisory Committee, who criticized the district's treatment of Native families and neglect of Indian education.
- Meanwhile, the Mariners, a professional sports team based in Seattle, may offer a welcome distraction from the ongoing superintendent selection process, providing an opportunity for community members to come together and enjoy sports during the transition period.
