Seven new executive directors will oversee Seattle’s schools not by geography, as before, but by student age groups. This is the first step in a major reorganization of the district’s central administration, announced by Superintendent Ben Schüldiner. Previously, five regional directors oversaw all schools in their area, regardless of grade level. Now, three directors will be responsible for all 64 elementary schools, one for K–8 schools (from kindergarten through 8th grade), one for middle schools, one for high schools and athletics, and the seventh for alternative and nontraditional schools. Separating K–8 schools into a distinct category is not accidental: this unconventional model groups instruction from kindergarten through 8th grade in a single building, requiring a special approach to curriculum planning, staffing allocation, and logistics—unlike the traditional split between elementary (K–5) and middle school (6–8).
According to Schüldiner, the new model is designed to encourage collaboration and the sharing of best practices among schools at the same level. “Bringing together all the high schools or K–8 allows them to share what works and support one another,” the superintendent said in an email. He also noted that the new directors have specific leadership experience at the levels they will now oversee, which he considers critically important.
The reorganization has already resulted in nearly $10 million in savings, and Schüldiner expects to save another $5 million to $10 million next year. It is part of a promise made when he was appointed in February—to balance the district’s budget, which currently has a $100 million deficit. The deficit is driven by a combination of factors: the end of federal COVID-19 pandemic relief funding, declining student enrollment (which directly reduces per-pupil state funding), and rising costs for salaries, inflation, and maintaining infrastructure. In Washington state, school funding works differently than in many other states: most of the budget—so-called “basic education”—is guaranteed by the state itself through sales and property taxes, while local districts can raise additional funds through special local taxes, but those are capped and require voter approval. However, the state’s formula does not always keep pace with increases in real costs, which is why large districts like Seattle run into deficits. Changes to the structure of the central administration are continuing, and the next steps will focus on streamlining operations and reducing expenses.
Most of the new directors have already worked in the school district. Three of them previously served as regional directors: James Mercer (elementary schools), Katrina Hunt (middle schools), and Christopher Carter (high schools and athletics). Jessica Conte and Rina Diz, also appointed to oversee elementary schools, previously coached school principals in the district and themselves ran elementary schools. The only director hired from outside the district is Lynn Herink, who will lead alternative and nontraditional schools; she previously worked in the neighboring Federal Way district.
In the coming weeks, the district will post openings for the new positions, including an assistant superintendent for student and family support, as well as an assistant superintendent for special student categories (special education, multilingual learners, gifted children, vocational training, early childhood education, and more). After these appointments, Schüldiner plans to restructure the rest of the central office to better support schools and students. “This will lead not only to a more thoughtful approach to leadership, but also to saving millions of dollars,” he emphasized.
Based on: Seattle Schools’ central office shake-up begins - The Seattle Times