ARLINGTON — For the first time in 12 years, a new leader is occupying the Arlington School District superintendent’s office.
Kristine McDuffy, a former Lakewood School District superintendent who spent the past five years as an administrator in the education department at Western Washington University, has found a home in Arlington and began settling in at her new job on Tuesday.
She will replace Linda Byrnes, who has retired. McDuffy left Lakewood to head a principal and superintendent certification program at Western.
McDuffy brought to her new office a favorite keepsake: a 45-year-old ceramic owl on top of a book, a statue made by her grandmother.
“It just means a lot to me, and I like the (education) symbolism,” McDuffy said.
McDuffy said she has been getting familiar with the community since March. She has visited schools, attended school board meetings and met with fellow administrators in the district of about 5,000 students.
Time spent with Byrnes was invaluable, McDuffy said.
“She was so gracious in allowing me access to all sorts of events and schools and school leaders and spending a lot of time with me,” she said.
A 1977 Everett High School graduate, McDuffy is looking forward to an upcoming retreat with the school board where she will help set goals.
McDuffy said it is good to get back to leading a district in the north end of Snohomish County.
“It almost feels like coming home,” she said. “This is just a calling. I’m very excited to be back and working with a district in a wonderful community.”
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
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