Dr. Bridget Weiss chosen to lead Juneau School District
The Juneau School District Board of Education has unanimously selected Dr. Bridget Weiss as interim superintendent for the 2018-19 school year. The position became available when Dr. Mark Miller submitted his request to be released from his contract to the Board of Education effective August 15, 2018.
The Board of Education met in special meeting on Friday, July 27 to accept Dr. Miller’s resignation and begin the process of finding a qualified replacement. The Board developed a process aimed at maximizing the opportunities for public engagement and input, while minimizing the hiring timeline to allow for the successor to overlap with the outgoing superintendent. The members were interested in facilitating a quick transition so the new superintendent could be in place by the August 20 school start date.
School board members didn’t have to look far to find a successor, as the Juneau School District has qualified and capable candidates within the organization. The board agreed to select a current Juneau School District employee with a Type B Certificate as well as a current Superintendent Endorsement. Interested candidates meeting the criteria were invited to apply for the interim superintendent position by Wednesday, August 1. Three candidates responded: Thunder Mountain High School Principal Dan Larson, Student Services Director Dr. Bridget Weiss and Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School Principal Molly Yerkes.
Board of Education President Brian Holst says, “The Board sincerely appreciates the willingness of all three candidates to step forward to serve the students of Juneau. We feel fortunate to have such a high caliber of local talent available in our community.”
The three applicants were then invited to attend a community meet and greet event on August 2, immediately followed by public interviews with the Board of Education. Public comment cards were collected and considered by the Board in making their determination.
On Monday, August 6, the school board held a special meeting to consider the candidates and take action on the hiring of an interim superintendent. The Board voted to select Dr. Weiss as the Interim Superintendent for the 2018-19 school year, effective August 16, 2018.
Dr. Weiss has been the district’s Director of Student Services and a member of the superintendent’s leadership team for the past four years. She oversees the Special Education Program, as well as other student-related services such as activities, health services, counseling, students in transition, student safety, crisis response and school climate.
Weiss is prepared to start her new role right away to get schools off to a good start and is looking forward to the job. “I could not be more pleased to lead the important work we are doing, and partner with families and stakeholders to meet the needs of our students. Working in my home community of Juneau is an exciting opportunity and privilege,” she says.
Weiss has broad experience that spans 34 years in the field of education. Prior to her Director role with the Juneau School District, she served as Principal of North Pole High School, Phoenix Alternative High School and Lake Spokane Elementary School as well as Assistant Principal of Mt. Spokane High School. She served as the Interim Superintendent for the Nine Mile Falls School District and Executive Director of Instructional Programs for Spokane Public Schools. She also has 16 years of experience as a secondary math teacher.
Dr. Weiss is a graduate of Juneau-Douglas High School and holds a Doctorate in Education, Educational Leadership from Washington State University, a Master of Arts in Education, Mathematics from Eastern Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a Minor in Physical Education from Whitworth University.
A hiring process to name a permanent replacement will be defined later in the school year.