LAKEWOOD — After five years leading the Lakewood School District, Superintendent Larry Francois is leaving.
He’s accepted a job as superintendent of the Northshore School District in Bothell, one of the 12 largest in Washington.
“I’ve got really mixed feelings,” he said Friday after announcing his decision. “I’m very happy on the one hand to be going to an excellent district like Northshore, and I’m very sad on the other hand to think about leaving a great community like Lakewood.”
The school board hasn’t decided yet how it will go about replacing Francois. The board could decide to hire an interim replacement or look for a long-term candidate.
The board scheduled a meeting to discuss the process at 5 p.m. Sunday in the Lakewood School District Conference Room.
Francois’ last day in Lakewood is June 30.
Francois, 42, said he has always wanted to lead a large school district. Northshore School District has 20,000 students, to Lakewood’s 2,499.
He will earn $185,000 a year in his new position.
Francois’ experience leading Lakewood through budget cuts and an enrollment decline appealed to staff and board members at Northshore, which is facing similar problems now, said district spokeswoman Susan Stoltzfus.
Teachers and residents who attended public interviews with the three finalists earlier this week favored Francois two-to-one, she said.
“The board thought he was the best fit,” she said. “The community thought he was the best choice, so it seems like we’re in near-total agreement.”
Northshore Superintendent Karen Forys died Sept. 17 while undergoing cancer treatment. Dolores Gibbons, who retired as superintendent of the Renton School District in June 2006, has served as interim superintendent.
Francois counts improved WASL scores and a voter-approved technology levy among his top accomplishments at Lakewood.
“I’m sorry to see Larry leave, but I’m happy for the Francois family,” said Lakewood School Board member Greg Jensen. “Larry definitely left Lakewood a better place than when he came.”
Herald Writer Kaitlin Manry: 425-339-3292 or kmanry@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
