When Highline Public Schools Superintendent John Welch moves to his new job at superintendent of the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) in September, he will be job sharing.
PSESD's current superintendent, Dr. Monte Bridges, and Welch will lead the agency together for one year with the goals of a smooth transition and uninterrupted progress in serving the region's early learning and K-12 educational needs. Welch will assume solo superintendent duties on July 1, 2012.
The opportunity for this unique and innovative leadership transition is created by the successive retirements of PSESD's deputy superintendent in July 2011 and superintendent in summer 2012, according to PSESD board members. Instead of filling the deputy superintendent vacancy for the coming year, the Board elected to conduct a superintendent search.
Board members noted they believe that this non-traditional and innovative arrangement will accomplish two important objectives. One, Welch can be part of the selection process of a new deputy superintendent, thereby ensuring complimentary strengths and experiences and a strong leadership team. Two, it will allow Bridges and Welch to cover both top leadership roles for one year, ensuring a seamless transition for the organization.
PSESD Board chair John Zurfluh, speaking for the Board said, "We are very pleased that John Welch will be joining our PSESD team, and we look forward to working with him during the transition year and the years to come. We are impressedwith John's vision in regards to the future of public education and his proven record of building strong relationships and partnerships with community, business and education stakeholders.
"Monte Bridges has been a transformational leader in our agency," adds Zurfluh, "and we are pleased to have found someone who can build on his legacy of a service-oriented and creative organization. Puget Sound ESD is an extremely dynamic agency, with a highly talented staff dedicated to eliminating the opportunity gap for children. We are confident in John's leadership to help us be successful."
Superintendent Bridges added he is enthusiastic about the coming year.
"The Board has made an outstanding selection in John Welch," said Bridges. "John is a strong voice and respected leader among our region's school district superintendents, and I look forward to our accomplishing important work together next year."
Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) is one of nine regional educational agencies serving school districts, private schools, educators, students, families and early learning communities in Washington state. ESDs create and provide PreK-12 instructional and administrative services that are more efficient, effective, and of a higher quality when delivered on a regional or statewide basis.
PSESD's service area includes 35 school districts and more than 200 private schools in King and Pierce counties plus Bainbridge Island. Approximately 39 percent of the state's K-12 public school students -more than 389,000 - are served in the region's school districts.
PSESD is governed by a nine-member educational service district board, elected by local school directors. The staff of approximately 345 administrators, educators and support personnel coordinate programs that support all aspects of preschool and K-12 education, including: cost-saving insurance cooperatives; teacher certification; early learning programs for 4,000 preschool children and their families; group financing and/or purchasing cooperatives; school improvement, student assistance services and professional development; programs for students with special needs; and a variety of technology services including networking and software development. PSESD is an entrepreneurial agency, with 99 percent of its funding obtained through grants, partnerships, and membership/service fees.
For more information on PSESD, see www.psesd.org.