EVERETT — The Northshore school board selected Justin Irish as its next superintendent Wednesday night.
Irish, who currently serves as superintendent of Anacortes School District, was chosen out of 32 applicants. He’ll start in the position July 1, giving the district six weeks to transition.
“I am looking forward to working alongside Northshore’s remarkable students, staff, committed families, and partners to realize the District’s mission of strengthening the community through excellence in education,” Irish said in a press release Wednesday. “Together, we can ensure every child achieves academic and social-emotional success.”
After an hour-long executive session, the board unanimously voted to offer Irish the position.
“He believes in every child,” said board President Amy Cast. “He believes in removing barriers, especially for those students who have been historically marginalized. He believes in creating the right conditions for staff so that they they can do that work as well, so that ultimately students can have a strong education as well as a strong sense of self when they go out into the world.”
Before starting at Anacortes in 2020, Irish worked for Edmonds School District as assistant superintendent and a principal, and he taught elementary school at Shoreline School District. Irish holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Washington. At the state level, Irish has worked with legislators to redesign Washington’s education funding model.
The search comes after Superintendent Michael Tolley announced his retirement in January. It’s the district’s third superintendent search since 2016.
On May 9, the board announced its three finalists, who answered questions at a town hall Tuesday night. During the town hall, Irish highlighted his experience solving budget issues at Anacortes and passion for making sure all students feel seen and included.
“I believe I have the experience in both small districts and large districts to be able to lead here,” he said Tuesday. “I know that I have the ability to build relationships, to be able to bring people together in ways to problem solve and to engage in multiple diverse and sometimes opposing opinions, to be able to find a common purpose.”
The board received more than 800 responses in community feedback surveys following Tuesday’s town hall.
“I believe the community has spoken,” said board member Jacqueline McGourty on Wednesday. “Dr. Irish rose to the top very clearly based on all of the input that we received from the community as well as focus groups. And so I think we have a really great choice that the community I know will welcome, and I think he’s going to do a fabulous job.”
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
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