May 1, 2023: Deputy Superintendent Announcement and Admin Center Reorganization

MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

May 1, 2023

Dear Northshore Colleagues: 

I am committed to transparency with our staff, families, and students as we work to address the budget shortfall and  balance our budget for the 2023-24 school year. At the April 24 School Board meeting, a Reduction in Force (RIF) resolution was presented and approved. The Reduction in Force is one step in next year’s budget development process. Budget work will continue through the spring and the School Board will take action on our final 2023-24 budget in July 2023. 

As a component of the RIF, I am reducing the number of positions at the Administrative Center, including Cabinet positions. To sustain the necessary Administration work and strong oversight of operational and school support functions, I will need to reorganize, reassign, and combine some jobs. This is the first detailed communication about the phased reorganization. More information will be shared over the following months. 

Admin Center Reorganization Phase One

In an effort to bring better alignment to District operational functions, and address next year’s budget shortfall, I have integrated the duties of the Deputy Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer. 

I am pleased to announce that Ms. JoLynn Berge has been selected as the district's next Deputy Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer. Duggan Harman, our current Deputy Superintendent and Tracy Patterson, our Chief Financial Officer, are retiring at the end of June 2023. Look for more information in the next couple weeks about how we plan to honor and thank these two outstanding public servants for their commitment to our students, staff, and families.

JoLynn was offered the position after an extensive search that solicited interest from highly-qualified candidates from across Washington state and beyond. Over the course of her career, JoLynn has been directly responsible for oversight and support of facilities, operations, human resources, business services, and technology departments - providing  leadership for operational programs and services, monitoring the effectiveness of district systems and structures, and assisting in establishing and implementing well-defined programs and services in all related areas. 

She is currently the Deputy Superintendent for Capital Region Educational Service District 113 where she is responsible for monitoring over 120 programs. Her previous experience includes Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance for Seattle Public Schools, Chief Financial Officer at OSPI, and 10 years in the State Auditor’s Office. 

I had the privilege of working alongside JoLynn at Seattle Public Schools. Her collaborative leadership style and demonstrated experience allocating resources that resulted in equitable outcomes for students will help us fulfill strategic commitments. I am really excited to welcome her to the Northshore family. To learn more about JoLynn and her background please visit the news article on the district webpage. 

Admin Center Reorganization Next Steps

The Board’s approved Reduction in Force (RIF) resolution also included the Executive Director of Human Resources and a HR Assistant Director Position. As many of you know Doug Hale is also retiring and Jon Young has taken a great opportunity in a neighboring district. I am deeply grateful to Doug and Jon for their unwavering commitment to public school employees, expertise and guidance, and helping to ensure Northshore is a great place to work. Look for more information about how we plan to celebrate Doug and Jon and their years of service. 

Once again, these changes in personnel provide an opportunity to rethink supervision and support of Human Resources. I have reassigned Obadiah Dunham’s responsibilities to include Human Resources. This means that we will need to increase support to the Special Education Department as well as move supervision of the schools in the West Region. Heather Miller, a current Assistant Superintendent with a deep knowledge of Northshore schools, will take over supervision of the West Region as well as SAS. Obadiah and Heather will begin in these revised roles on July 1. Special Education Department adjustments will take place through the summer months. 

Additionally, I have talked about the development of a Family Engagement and Resource Center. Reassignment of current positions to the Center will also be part of the Admin Center reorganization. I am still in conversation with affected personnel. Once the reassigned staffing is confirmed, I will share the structure, vision, and initial work of the Center with our staff and community. The Family Engagement and Resource Center will report to the Communications Department. 

Legislative Updates and Continued Budget Development 

The state's legislative session concluded on Sunday, April 23. Thank you to the many educators, families, and staff who shared your thoughts and perspectives with our state representatives. Based on our initial analysis, Northshore will receive some additional revenue due to increases in state funding for special education, changes in pension rates, and the adopted inflationary factor (IPD) for compensation. These funds will certainly help, but there are many challenging decisions that lie ahead to produce a balanced budget for next school year and for years to come. 

As a reminder, the Communications Department has launched a 2023-24 Budget Development webpage that includes a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section. The budget webpage has been updated with additional common questions and responses. Please continue to submit your questions through the form on the webpage, and the FAQ will be updated. And, as promised I will continue to provide budget development updates in my Monday Message and in the Connections Newsletter. 

Student Wellness and Safety Task Force

Last Monday, April 24, the School Board hosted a study session about the work of the Student Wellness and Safety Task Force. The Task Force is charged with providing the superintendent recommendations on a continuum of supports, services, and practices - including a multi-year timeline and budget - to meet the Guiding Principles of Parameter 7: Student Learning Environments. This was an initial update and opportunity for the School Board to ask questions and provide feedback and guidance to the Task Force facilitators. Another study session is planned for May 30, and the Task Force is scheduled to conclude at the end of June. You can view the April 24 study session on the Board’s webpage. 

Tomorrow on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 the School Board is hosting a Student Wellness and Support: Conversations with the Board event in Inglemoor High School’s Library from 6-7:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for the Northshore community to provide additional feedback on topics of student wellness, belonging, connection, and campus safety. Additionally, an online feedback opportunity will be distributed to all secondary students, families, and staff later this week. 

Listen and Learn Report and Spring Engagements

Finally, I want to thank everyone who participated in my Listen and Learn tour that concluded in January 2023. The report and key findings can be found on the District’s Listen and Learn webpage. I will be hosting spring Superintendent Engagement Sessions to share findings from the Listen and Learn tour and next steps directly with families, students, and staff. Look for more information about the spring sessions below. I hope to see you there! 

Today is also National Principal Appreciation Day! Thank you to our incredible school leaders and for all that you do for our students, families, and staff. This is a busy time of year, and I see and value everything you are doing. 

In partnership, 

Michael Tolley
Interim Superintendent

HIGHLIGHTS FROM AROUND THE DISTRICT

Student Wellness and Support: Conversations with the Board on May 2

Multiple times a year, the School Board invites the Northshore Community to speak with them directly about issues of interest and concern. The next Conversation with the Board is Tuesday, May 2 from 6-7:30 p.m. The spring session will be held at Inglemoor High School (15500 Simonds Rd NE, Kenmore, WA 98028) in the library. This is an in-person event and won’t be live streamed. Spanish interpretation and translation will be available onsite. 

The May 2 conversation will focus on student wellness and support. Participants will have the opportunity to respond to several open-ended questions related to student wellness and support including: health and wellness, belonging, connection, and campus safety. 

Comments and feedback gathered at the May 2 event will be analyzed, themed, and provided back to the School Board as well as the Student Wellness and Safety Task Force.

Instructional Materials Review Opportunities on May 2

As a Northshore community, we value students building a sense of belonging through learning that affirms their identities and honors their peers and community as a whole. The fundamental right of each student to see themselves in the classroom learning materials is critical. The District has scheduled two opportunities on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 to review instructional materials in connection with these values, and we welcome families, staff, and students to attend.

Middle School Novels Refresh

Northshore educators and staff have been piloting novels throughout the year to recommend for addition into our classrooms as supplemental materials. Families, staff, and students are invited to join us on Tuesday, May 2 any time between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the Admin Center, 3330 Monte Villa Parkway to view the 6th-8th grade novels that have been piloted this year by grade band and share your thoughts. For questions, please contact nsmith2@nsd.org. 

High School Ethnic Studies Curricular Units

The Ethnic Studies class offered to students in high school has been piloting materials to recommend for adoption. Families, staff, and students are invited to join us on Tuesday, May 2 any time between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. in Room 208 at the Admin Center, 3330 Monte Villa Parkway to view these curricular units and share your thoughts. For questions, please contact EthnicStudies@nsd.org. 

Spring Superintendent Learning Sessions Announced

During the spring, Superintendent Michael Tolley will host spring superintendent learning sessions as a way to share with our families, students, and staff the information he learned from his fall Listen and Learn tour. These events also provide an opportunity for the superintendent to continue to listen to our Northshore community members about their experiences in our schools. The dates and audience for each session are:

• May 11 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the North Creek High School Library: Indian Subcontinent/Korean/Chinese Families 

• May 16 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Bothell High School Library: General Meeting

• May 23 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Admin Center Board Room: Muslim Families

• May 25 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Northshore Middle School Library: Spanish-Speaking Families

• May 31 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Zoom: Families receiving Special Education Services (the link will be advertised soon)

• June 1 from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Zoom: General Meeting (the link will be advertised soon)

Celebrating our Retirees from 2022-23

The Northshore School District and Northshore Schools Foundation look forward to celebrating staff retiring between July 2022 and August 2023. We are hosting a retirement celebration for all Northshore retirees on Thursday, June 1 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Northshore Senior Center. 

If you have already retired or are planning to retire this summer, please complete the RSVP form by Friday, May 26 to let us know if you would like to join us in celebrating your contributions to our community. Space is limited to those who are retiring and one guest, and we appreciate your understanding. Thank you to all retirees who have dedicated your career to making a  positive impact on our students’ lives and education! 

Student Spoken Word Poetry Featured During Northshore Speaks

In honor of National Poetry Month in April, the District showcased the exceptional work of our students during Northshore Speaks, which featured original student spoken word poetry. This inspiring evening is designed to connect, reflect, and hear diverse perspectives from our student community. This year’s event took place virtually last week and is available to view in its entirety on our Northshore Speaks website. 

IMPORTANT DATES

May 2: Conversations with the Board, 6-7:30 p.m. at Inglemoor High School Library

May 3: Wednesday Early Release

May 8: School Board Meeting 4 p.m.

May 10: Wednesday Early Release

May 11: Spring Superintendent Learning Session, 6-7:30 p.m. in the North Creek High School Library: Indian Subcontinent/Korean/Chinese Families 

May 16: Spring Superintendent Learning Session, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Bothell High School Library: General Meeting

May 17: Wednesday Early Release    

May 22: School Board Meeting 7 p.m.

May 23: Spring Superintendent Learning Session, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Admin Center Board Room: Muslim Families

May 24: Wednesday Early Release

May 25: Spring Superintendent Learning Session, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Northshore Middle School Library: Spanish-Speaking Families

May 26: Emergency Make-Up Day - Please note: This is now a school day!

May 29: Memorial Day - No School

May 31: Spring Superintendent Learning Session, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Zoom: Families receiving Special Education Services

May 31: Wednesday Early Release

June 1: Spring Superintendent Learning Session, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Zoom: General Meeting

Additional Religious and Cultural Observances

*Twelfth Day of Ridvan May 2

Mother’s Day May 14

*Declaration of Bab May 24 

Buddha’s Birthday May 27

Ascension of Baha’u’llah, May 29

Nondiscrimination 

Northshore School District is enriched by the many experiences and perspectives each individual member brings to our District and community. Therefore, our District prohibits discrimination based on age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, cognitive, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Civil Rights and ADA Coordinator for Staff
Abel Ghirmai
Director of Human Resources
3330 Monte Villa Parkway
Bothell, WA 98021-8972
425-408-7622 or 7604
aghirmai@nsd.org 

Title IX Coordinator
Abel Ghirmai
Director of Human Resources
3330 Monte Villa Parkway
Bothell, WA 98021-8972
425-408-7622 or 7604
aghirmai@nsd.org 

The Northshore School District shall provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the District’s academic, activities, or employment programs without discrimination. In addition, the District provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups in its programs and activities.
 

Section 504 and ADA Coordinator for Students
Rick Ferrell
Director of Student Services
3330 Monte Villa Parkway
Bothell, WA 98021-8972
425-408-7632
rferrell@nsd.org 

Any Northshore School District staff and community member has the right to raise concerns or make a complaint regarding discrimination under this policy without fear of retaliation. The above-listed employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged unlawful discrimination.