Lakewood School District Superintendent Scott Peacock will step down in June. (Kevin Clark / Herald file)

Lakewood School District Superintendent Scott Peacock will step down in June. (Kevin Clark / Herald file)

Peacock to step down as Lakewood schools superintendent in June

He said he needs time to recharge. A search for a successor is underway, with the school board hoping to make a hire in April.

LAKEWOOD — A search is underway for a new leader of Lakewood School District after Superintendent Scott Peacock announced he is leaving at the end of June.

Peacock, hired four years ago, informed the school board and staff in late January, and posted a statement on the district website.

“After much personal reflection, I have come to realize that I need to step away from my current role in order to rebuild the sense of wholeness that has anchored my personal and professional relationships,” he wrote.

Reached last week, Peacock said he’s not retiring, though he’s uncertain where his future professional path will take him.

“I just needed a reset personally, to step back and restore a balance in my life, ” he said. “The space of not knowing what’s next and having things be quite open is energizing.”

Peacock, 56, joined Lakewood on July 1, 2019, after nearly 25 years with the Snohomish School District.

School board president Sandy Gotts praised Peacock’s leadership in a period marked by two significant challenges — one political and one historical.

In his first year, the pandemic arrived and voters twice rejected a property tax levy used to pay for staff, services and extracurricular programs not funded by the state. That put a crimp in district budgets.

A year later, as public schools emerged from the pandemic and wrestled with student learning loss, voters changed course and endorsed a levy to restore a critical flow of dollars.

“Scott is a great guy. We adore him. He’s done some great things,” Gotts said. “The district is going to sorely miss him because he has brought so much to the district, creating a place of belonging and a place where students, parents, teachers and the community have come together in a way it never has.”

The board is looking to hire a successor by the end of April.

Applications are due April 3, according to a timeline on the district website. And this month, staff, students, families and community members are encouraged to fill out a survey identifying qualities and skills they would like to see in the next superintendent. The survey is available online in English and Spanish through March 24.

Preliminary interviews are penciled in for April 15. Interviews with finalists could occur April 24, 25 and 27, with a selection on April 28.

Gotts said the school board will look to negotiate a three-year contract with a salary commensurate with comparable districts in the region. The current salary is $223,860, per the website.

Lakewood becomes the latest local school district to undertake a superintendent search.

Last month, the Edmonds School District Board of Directors named Rebecca Miner as their new leader, succeeding Gustavo Balderas who resigned last July. Miner had been Edmonds’ interim superintendent for several months ahead of the decision.

And in January, directors of the Monroe School District hired Shawn Woodward as superintendent. He will begin July 1. He’ll take the reins from interim Superintendent Marci Larsen, the district leader after the July 2022 ouster of Superintendent Justin Blasko, who had been subject of employee complaints.

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

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.