Former Shoreline schools chief named interim Edmonds superintendent

Rebecca Miner will step in when Gustavo Balderas leaves this summer for new job in Oregon.

Rebecca Miner

Rebecca Miner

EDMONDS — Rebecca Miner, who stepped down as leader of the Shoreline School District last year, has been named interim superintendent of the Edmonds School District.

Miner will assume the reins July 1 when Superintendent Gustavo Balderas departs for Oregon, where he will take the helm of the Beaverton School District. Balderas’ last day in the Edmonds district is June 30.

On Tuesday, the Edmonds School Board of Directors unanimously approved hiring Miner for the 2022-23 school year. Miner will earn a base salary of $300,000 under a letter of intent she signed April 21.

A formal contract must still be negotiated with the School Board. It could include other compensation.

“We are confident that Dr. Miner will provide stability to the district by leading and supporting the work of our strategic plan and keeping the district moving forward in a positive direction,” board president Nancy Katims said prior to the vote.

Miner served as superintendent of the Shoreline School District for seven years until leaving June 30, 2021. Before that, she spent three years as superintendent of the White Pass School District in Lewis County.

She currently serves as the interim assistant superintendent for teaching, learning and equity in the Evergreen School District in Vancouver, Washington. She also assists school districts develop and implement plans for fully inclusive learning environments for students with disabilities. She does this through the Washington Association of School Administrators Inclusionary Practices Project.

Over her career, Miner has worked as an administrator overseeing special education services, an associate principal, a high school language arts teacher, a middle school special education teacher and a Spanish teacher.

The board began looking for an interim leader in March shortly after Balderas announced his departure. Directors “reached out to our network of contacts” for potential candidates, Katims said.

Miner was one of two finalists who emerged from the truncated search process. The board hired GR Recruiting to conduct extensive background checks on each. Their work included reviews of social media posts, newspaper stories and verification of educational degrees. The firm will be paid $4,800.

Each finalist underwent 90-minute interviews with the board, Katims said. Prior to those interviews, directors reached out to “seven stakeholder groups” — six staff and one parent — for suggested questions to ask, she said. Some of them did get asked, she said.

This fall, the School Board will begin a national search for a permanent superintendent.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Northshore School District are also looking for an interim leader to take charge this summer when their superintendent, Michelle Reid, leaves for a new job as superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia.

On Wednesday, the board was considering hiring a professional search firm to assist in the effort.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dospueblos.

Talk to us

More in Local News

News logo for use with stories about Mill Creek in Snohomish County, WA.
Mill Creek house fire leaves 1 dead

The fire was contained to a garage in the 15300 block of 25th Drive SE. A person was found dead inside.

Firefighters respond to a house fire Wednesday morning in the 3400 block of Broadway. (Everett Fire Department)
3 hospitalized in critical condition after Everett house fire

Firefighters rescued two people, one of whom uses a wheelchair, from the burning home in the 3400 block of Broadway.

The Walmart Store on 11400 Highway 99 on March 21, 2023 in in Everett, Washington. The retail giant will close the store on April 21, 2023. (Janice Podsada / The Herald)
Walmart announces Everett store on Highway 99 will close on April 21

The Arkansas-based retail giant said the 20-year-old Walmart location was “underperforming financially.”

Michael Tolley (Northshore School District)
Michael Tolley named new Northshore School District leader

Tolley, interim superintendent since last summer, is expected to inherit the position permanently in July.

Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331
New forecast show state revenues won’t be quite as robust as expected

Democratic budget writers say they will be cautious but able to fund their priorities. Senate put out a capital budget Monday.

Everett Memorial Stadium and Funko Field on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Drive to build new AquaSox ballpark gets $7.4M boost from state

The proposed Senate capital budget contains critical seed money for the city-led project likely to get matched by the House.

Dr. J. Matthew Lacy, Chief Medical Examiner for Snohomish County, answers preliminary questions from the state regarding his qualifications and experience as a medical examiner during the trial of Richard Rotter on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
At Rotter trial, debate breaks out over graphic autopsy photos

A judge ruled some close-ups of Everett officer Dan Rocha’s injuries could be used, while others were ruled out.

Alderwood Middle High School Wednesday afternoon on December 8, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Student, 14, accused of attacking Lynnwood middle school teacher

The alleged assault occurred after lunch at Alderwood Middle School, according to the Edmonds School District.

A residential home is demolished at what will be the site of a new Lake Stevens Library on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Sophia Gates / The Herald).
Site clearing begins for new Lake Stevens library

The initial work on Chapel Hill property brings dream of a new library closer to reality.

Most Read