Former teacher to lead south Whidbey schools

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, February 28, 2006

LANGLEY – Professionally speaking, Fred McCarthy has come a long way since kindergarten.

The South Whidbey School Board chose McCarthy, a former kindergarten teacher in Marysville, as its next superintendent.

McCarthy 59, was picked from a pool of 26 applicants.

“I will work to deliver the quality of service and leadership expected in this position,” McCarthy said Tuesday.

McCarthy will take over the district of more than 2,000 students July 1. Final details of a three-year contract are being worked out, but it will include a $125,000 annual salary.

The board selected McCarthy from three finalists who visited the district last week. The others were David Peterson, assistant superintendent of the Oak Harbor School District, and Dan Chaplick, superintendent of the Republic School District in Eastern Washington.

McCarthy worked for the Marysville School District from 1972 to 1996 in several capacities, including as a teacher and director of finance, human resources and curriculum.

His startes as a kindergarten teacher at Shoultes Elementary School in Marysville for students from low-income families.

Some teachers and parents had hoped he would be considered for Marysville’s superintendent in 1996, but the school board decided to look outside the district.

McCarthy was assistant superintendent for the Steilacoom and Riverview school districts before becoming principal at St. Benedict School in Seattle. The principal’s post at the private school involved raising money.

McCarthy said he and his wife, Shannon, look forward to moving to Whidbey Island this summer.

“This will be an exciting new chapter in our lives,” he said. “We will enjoy learning the history and traditions of the area, getting to know as many people as possible and contributing positively to the quality of life in the schools and the community.”

McCarthy brings a balance of experience to the job, said John Fotheringham, the district’s consultant during the search for a new superintendent.

“He is very skilled in the business end. He has been in charge of human resources, and we used to call him ‘Captain Curriculum’” for his work on the instructional end, Fotheringham said.

South Whidbey hired interim Superintendent Robert Brown 18 months ago after the district ran into financial trouble and former Superintendent Martin Laster resigned.

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