Lakewood School District Superintendent Michael Mack, who will retire in June, stands in the central commons area at the then-newly constructed Lakewood High School back in 2017. (Arlington Times, file)

Lakewood School District Superintendent Michael Mack, who will retire in June, stands in the central commons area at the then-newly constructed Lakewood High School back in 2017. (Arlington Times, file)

Lakewood chooses semifinalists in superintendent search

That number will be narrowed to three after candidates are interviewed in public meetings next week.

LAKEWOOD — Folks are invited this week to meet the seven finalists in Lakewood School District’s superintendent search.

The school board plans to interview each of the candidates next week. After, attendees are asked to give written feedback to help the board in its decision.

Three will be chosen to move forward.

The district has set aside June 11 through 13 so the applicants can visit again separately. Public forums are planned on those days, where staff, students, parents and others can meet the contenders. The time and location for those events has not been chosen yet.

Many of the finalists already work in Snohomish County school districts: Brian Beckley, of Everett Public Schools, Ken Collins, of the Lake Stevens School District, Pat Hegarty, of the Mukilteo School District, and Scott Peacock, of the Snohomish School District.

Others are Jill Diehl, of Longview Public Schools, Jared Hoadley, of the Mead School District, and Jennifer Kindle, of the Selah School District.

Kindle also recently was considered for the superintendent position in the Granite Falls School District. She was one of two finalists. That job was filled by Josh Middleton, of Idaho.

Current Superintendent Michael Mack became the Lakewood School District’s leader in 2014. He plans to retire in June.

During his time with the district, the on-time graduation rate has risen from 77.9 percent to 92.1 percent. A new high school opened in September 2017.

He’s now headed to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, where he’ll become superintendent of the International Schools Group.

The interviews next week are from 4 and 7 p.m. Monday, and from 5 and 7 p.m. Tuesday. The meetings will be in the Lakewood High School library, 17023 11th Ave. NE, Arlington.

The superintendent is expected to be chosen by June 14.

Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; sdavey@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @stephrdavey.

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