By Nicholas Johnson
As Highline Public Schools kicks off its search for a new superintendent to replace Susan Enfield, the school district is asking students, families, teachers, school staff and the rest of the community to weigh in this month through a survey and two community forums.
“The next month of the superintendent search process is really focused on engagement,” Erinn Bennett, the district’s director of special projects, told the school board during its Nov. 3 meeting.
Available in English, Spanish, Somali and Vietnamese, the brief survey asks about the school district’s strengths and challenges as well as what priorities and professional characteristics the next superintendent ought to have. The survey, which is anonymous, will be available through Nov. 24.
On top of that, a virtual community forum is set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18 on Zoom while an in-person community forum is set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at the district’s central office, 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW in Burien. Due to COVID-19 safety guidelines, space is limited for the in-person forum, and attendees must sign up in advance to attend either of them.
The community’s feedback will inform development of a “Leadership Profile Report,” which will be presented to the school board in December and will guide the district’s national candidate search led by Illinois-based consulting firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA).
Five search firms responded to the district’s September request for proposals. The board voted unanimously Oct. 6 to work with HYA after interviewing three finalists during a Sept. 29 work session.
“Our team is familiar with the unique characteristics, culture, and opportunities of Highline Public Schools,” HYA wrote in its proposal, “and we are confident our search process will allow us to recruit candidates that would be a great fit for Highline.”
According to its proposal, HYA’s services will cost the district $24,500. The other two finalists’ proposals – Iowa-based Ray and Associates, Inc. and California-based Human Capital Enterprises – would have cost the district $19,500 and $31,100, respectively.
The school board’s goal is to select a candidate sometime in late February, if not early March, of 2022. The new superintendent would start July 1, taking over for Enfield, who plans to leave the district after 10 years at its helm.
The Highline School Board is gathering feedback to help them select our next superintendent!
You are invited to attend the Community Forums facilitated by the search firm to give your input.
Learn more about attending the community Forums here: https://t.co/Rhx7UvjQIV pic.twitter.com/9aaJ2ChTj0— Highline Schools (@HighlineSchools) November 12, 2021
Nicholas Johnson (he/him) is an award-winning writer, editor and photographer who grew up in Boulevard Park, graduated from Highline High School and studied journalism at Western Washington University. Send news tips, story ideas and positive vibes to nicholas.johnson4@gmail.com.
The next Superintendent should be strong willed to face the board and say enough of the identity politics in schools. Focus on learning STEM Highline is now ran by linguists Liberals that that know nothing about learning. The next superintendent should not bend to the thugs of the community that are connected to the board of directors. Being in Highline for a long time I witnessed how it changed to a become a medium of social identity politics, cancel culture, that demeans other students. The next superintendent should be strong enough to say STOP! Focus on learning and remove the threat and deal with discipline that protects the teachers that deal with unruly students to maintain a conducive environment for learning. I know it’s a lot but the school system is being hijacked by people who want to normalize their skewed beliefs.
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Whoa, whoa – Sebastian – my daughter went through Des Moines Elementary with you, and through Pacific – we last saw both of you receive scholarships through Des Moines’ Dollars for Scholars – as I recall, you received one of their highest honors, and we were all so proud of you. Jackie has since graduated with a degree in Doctor of Physical Therapy, so the investment our community made in both of you was well worth it. So I am baffled about your animosity toward Highline School District, where you obviously enjoyed a great success. Mind if I parse your words a bit?
“The next Superintendent should be strong willed to face the board and say enough of the identity politics in schools.”
Me: I don’t know what ‘identity politics” are, but it sounds like a Fox News talking point. Sebastian, if you refer to the Superintendent of Public Schools website you’ll find that Highline School District is one of the most ethnically diverse in the state – which is exactly why we moved here and put our kids here. I did not want them in an all-white school, which tends to get shot up by white-entitled boys – plus the district had a low absentee and on-campus violence rate. We have a solid, consistent school board that have executed the Dr. Enfield’s vision, and I am grateful for that.
Focus on learning STEM Highline is now ran by linguists Liberals that that know nothing about learning.
Me: My son Andy (2 years after you and Jackie) was ADD, but he made it into Aviation High, a STEM school. I don’t know what you mean that it is “ran” (try “run”, hon) by linguists – yes, they teach Spanish and Japanese, but I don’t know that that means they’re “linguist Liberals, whatever that means. Among the instructors there was a 9th grade English teacher that used the NASA website as her basis for instruction, and yes, she failed a lot of kids because they did not meet her, or Aviation’s standards. The Physics, Flight by Design and Chemistry teachers all above notch. Sebastian, you never attended Aviation, so you really have no idea what you’re talking about – this is clearly above your pay grade, so your opinion, worthless.
The next superintendent should not bend to the thugs of the community that are connected to the board of directors.
Me: Please define “thugs of the community that are connected to the board of directors.” because now you’re just sounding hysterical.
Being in Highline for a long time I witnessed how it changed to a become a medium of social identity politics, cancel culture, that demeans other students.
Me: My three kids came up through the Highline School District and have all done well for themselves. So did you. You’re just channeling Fox nutheads (guess you’re anti-vax too) – you can’t even define what your last statement means.
The next superintendent should be strong enough to say STOP! Focus on learning and remove the threat and deal with discipline that protects the teachers that deal with unruly students to maintain a conducive environment for learning. I know it’s a lot but the school system is being hijacked by people who want to normalize their skewed beliefs.
Me: Dr. Enfield has increased the graduation rate, reduced absenteeism, and implemented Suspension in Place, which was brilliant.
Sebastian, you’ve thrown a lot of mindless accusations out there, but never supported them with any kind of facts. You complain about lack of STEM, but you never attended Aviation, so have no idea what you’re talking about. I remember you as a nice kid, a classmate of Jackie’s – don’t know why you became this Fox devotee. The things you’ve complained about simply don’t exist. I have facts to support my statements – where are yours?
Hi to your folks.
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