Dr. Justin Irish Selected as Northshore’s Next Superintendent 

The Northshore School Board is pleased to announce that Dr. Justin Irish has been selected as the district's next Superintendent subject to successful completion of contract negotiations. Dr. Irish will start on July 1, 2025. 

Dr. Irish was offered the position after an extensive public engagement process including a community survey, focus groups, and Community Town Hall. In total 32 individuals applied for the Superintendent position representing high-performing districts across the nation and 6 applicants were moved forward for School Board consideration. The three finalists were from Washington.

In response to his selection, Dr. Irish shares, “I am excited and honored to serve the Northshore School District as the next Superintendent. I want to thank the Northshore School Board for their vote of confidence as well as the many individuals who gave their time and feedback during the process. 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. Together, we can ensure every child achieves academic and social-emotional success.”

“On behalf of the entire Northshore School Board, I want to congratulate Dr. Irish,” shared Board President Amy Cast. “We were fortunate to have an exceptional pool of highly qualified superintendent candidates to choose from. Throughout the search process, Dr. Irish’s clear commitment to racial and educational justice as well as his demonstrated experience leading student academic and district operational improvements set him apart.”

President Cast added, “Dr. Irish is an inspiring educational leader with a strong track record of ensuring all students have access to a great public education. He has the vision, skills, and experience to support Northshore in realizing our commitments to our students now and into the future. The Board looks forward to welcoming him to our community and supporting him as he leads our district.”

“I also want to thank and acknowledge the leadership of Mr. Michael Tolley, who has served as the superintendent since July 2022, first as interim superintendent for one year before being selected as the permanent superintendent. He will be retiring on June 30, 2025 after 45 years in education. His commitment to our Northshore students, staff, and community is deeply appreciated by the Board.” 

Dr. Justin Irish

Dr. Justin Irish is a longtime educator, having served as an elementary classroom teacher, principal, and district administrator. He is in his fifth year as Superintendent of the Anacortes School District, a high-performing district serving 2,500 students. During his tenure with Anacortes, Dr. Irish has prioritized academic achievement, equity, inclusion, social-emotional learning, and building and sustaining strong community partnerships. He has also addressed statewide funding challenges through collaborative, transparent engagement with staff, families, and the broader community. 

Previously, Dr. Irish was Assistant Superintendent in the Edmonds School District, serving over 20,000 students. There, he worked with educators, principals, students, and families to advance teaching and learning, guided by a deep commitment to equity, belonging, and academic excellence. His leadership emphasizes trust, relationship-building, and inclusive engagement. He listens deeply, learns continuously, and leads with integrity. 

Dr. Irish also contributes at the state level, participating in a statewide convening to redesign Washington’s funding model. In partnership with researchers and education leaders, he advocates for equity and sustainability across all school districts. 

Grounded in inclusion, empathy, and high expectations, he builds on system strengths while seeking ways to expand opportunity and improve student outcomes. Dr. Irish intentionally fosters environments where students feel known and valued, staff feel supported, and communities are active partners in education. He is excited to serve the Northshore School District, drawn to its diverse student population and vision for strengthening community through excellence in education and the belief that every child can achieve academic and social-emotional success. Dr. Irish holds degrees from the University of Washington (Ed.D. and B.A.) and Seattle University (MAT).