Arlington school superintendent selected

Published 10:34 pm Tuesday, February 26, 2008

ARLINGTON — Kristine McDuffy has spent the past few years at Western Washington University getting people trained to become school district superintendents.

Now, she is joining their ranks.

McDuffy was chosen Monday night to become the next superintendent of the Arlington School District, starting July 1 when Linda Byrnes retires.

The Arlington School Board vote was unanimous.

McDuffy, 48, is a former high school principal and superintendent in the Lakewood School District. She left that post to lead a principal and superintendent certification program at the university.

McDuffy is excited to get back into the business of heading up a school district.

“I think I’m better prepared,” she said. “I have a deeper understanding about the day-to-day work and the contributions that staff and community truly can make.”

In taking the Arlington post, McDuffy said she will withdraw from consideration as a superintendent finalist in the Longview School District and as a semifinalist for superintendent in the Northshore School District.

McDuffy and the school district still must iron out a contract.

McDuffy is a 1977 Everett High School graduate. Byrnes is in her 12th year of leading the district and is the dean of Snohomish County school superintendents.

They will be big shoes to fill, McDuffy said.

“She has brought the district so far in so many ways,” McDuffy said.

The new superintendent said she wants to help the district improve student achievement, develop leadership and continue to get the community involved in its schools.

School board President Kay Duskin said the board was pleased with the selection process and the amount of input it received from the community.

“We know that this is the most important decision we will make as a board and are confident the process provided us with all the information necessary to make that decision,” Duskin said.

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.