The most well known of the three finalists for the Highline Public Schools superintendent position will be in the spotlight, Friday, Feb. 24.

Dr. Susan Enfield will answer questions from the public from 6-7:15 p.m. at the Burien City Council Chambers, 400 S.W. 152nd St.

Enfield, interim superintendent in Seattle, is also a candidate for the top job in Bellevue’s school district. She has indicated she does not want the permanent position in Seattle.

Last Friday, the Bellevue school board agreed to conduct an accelerated interview with Enfield with several conditions.

Those include updating evaluation criteria based on recent community input and spelling out an interview process involving the district’s stakeholders. According to the district website, “if after that process the board feels they have a strong feeling, the board may extend an offer to a candidate.”

Bellevue spokeswoman Jackie Coe said the board will announce its superintendent search process on Monday, Feb. 27. Highline’s board members have said they will make a decision by March 1.

On Thursday, Feb. 23, the second of three Highline finalists answered questions from the public.

Dr. Joshua Garcia, Federal Way Public Schools assistant superintendent, smoothly handled a variety of inquiries.

Garcia has also been an executive director in Federal Way with responsibility for instruction, curriculum, assessment and supervision of secondary schools as well as principal at Todd Beamer High School.

Garcia is also an adjunct professor in the University of Washington’s principal leadership program. He has served as president of the Washington State Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
On Thursday, Garcia told forum participants, “I have a passion that every kid is successful.”

Garcia said the school district has to take a multi-faceted approach to involving families who do not speak English as a first language.

“It is your responsibility to go to families who can’t come to you,” Garcia declared.

He said standards-based education where advancement is based on demonstrating mastery of a subject can be effective.

But he warned that the standards have to be clearly agreed upon and what is right for one community may not be right in another.

As for small schools such as on the Evergreen and Tyee High campuses, Garcia noted, “structure doesn’t matter unless it is inhibiting learning.”

He said what is important is that districts offer students choices.

“In large districts like yours, you have too find options for all kids,” Garcia noted.

Garcia advocated a council of students that meet with the superintendent on a regular basis.

He proclaimed himself “a big fan” of dual language programs where students learn in two languages. With families frequently moving in and out of the district, the challenge is keeping the dual language classes full, he added.

Garcia said the district should promote itself to overcome negative public perceptions.

“We have to tell our story,” Garcia declared. ”We have to promote our good work to city officials and community partners.”

He said as superintendent he hopes to be both a leader and follower.

“My job is to foster the conversation about what does student success look like,” Garcia said.

He added that he has a track record of success in managing large budgets and increasing academic success.

Asked how he make the district workforce more diverse, he answered “recruit, recruit, recruit.”

He added, “If we want a world-class school district, we need a world-class staff."

Garcia upset some in the audience when asked about retaining librarian/teachers.

He replied, “A title doesn’t make a good leader.”

Certification doesn’t always provide those good leaders he added.

Earlier, he said he envisions school libraries as learning resource centers with talented people who serve as learning guides.

Garcia also noted that he has experience in districts with big budget cuts. He advocated forming think tanks to decide what is most important.

He said adminsitrators must gather as much information as possible and not make the budget decisions until they have to.

Garcia said all students should be involved in school activities, regardless of their ability to pay.