A message from Superintendent Dr. Jerry Jenkins
It is with mixed feelings that I write this message. It seems like I just joined the NWESD team— rather than sixteen years ago. As a science fiction buff, I am certain I must have moved into some type of time warp.
Over the last sixteen years, there has been much success in the classrooms across the NWESD five county region. This has been evidenced time and time again. For example, each year across our thirty-five school districts:
- More than 17 million miles of safe student transportation has been provided.
- More than 15 million nutritious meals are served in schools.
- 175,000 students, in every grade level across every subject area, have demonstrated increased achievement.
- More than 720 school board meetings are held in order to set goals, establish priorities for $1.9 billion dollars in General Fund programs/budgets, and to monitor successes and challenges.
- And, in too many other ways to list. . .
These accomplishments have been the result of more than 22,000 dedicated teachers, administrators, bus drivers, para-professionals, office assistants, custodians, groundskeepers, maintenance workers, and volunteers across our thirty-five school districts. Thank you! Thank you for caring enough to extend yourself for students. Thank you for working hard day-after-day in support of student programs.
I have, with the NWESD staff, been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to support your efforts in the school districts. Like the region’s school district staff, the NWESD team is a very dedicated group of compassionate people— the best with whom I have ever had the pleasure to work— thank you to them for their service and support!
And the NWESD Board is a diverse group of volunteers that has proactively challenged all of the NWESD team, including me, to do our best for the students, schools, and districts we serve. I have indeed been fortunate to have enjoyed Board member support and encouragement, even when projects may not have worked as well as planned— thank you to each Board member!
The NWESD Board has identified Larry Francois as the next NWESD Superintendent. He brings a wealth of experience to the position. Indeed, Francois is a name familiar to many within the NWESD region. Prior to his current position as Northshore Superintendent, he served in the Lakewood, Edmonds, Mukilteo, and Snohomish school districts as a Superintendent, Human Resources Director, Skills Center Assistant Director, and Assistant Principal, respectively. I know the NWESD team, staff and Board, will support him as he builds upon current NWESD services and supports. I am confident that the strong collaborative relationships that exist across the five counties will embrace and benefit from such new perspective and opportunities. I know in my heart that Together We Can will continue to prosper in the NWESD region!
In a nutshell, I have been blessed to know, and work with, thousands of dedicated people focused to doing the best possible for students and their programs. For this, I am truly thankful. As Sue and I transition to our next phase in life, we will miss many of the people, but perhaps not some of the more challenging “opportunities.”
Wishing all of you continued success,
