School closures and consolidations this fall will shuffle around some elementary school principals in this part of the city.

Joanne Bowers, principal of Viewlands Elementary School, will take charge of North Beach Elementary next year. Jeanne Smart will remain principal at Broadview-Thomson Elementary, which merges with Viewlands this fall.

Ed James, a retired Seattle Public School principal, has been filling in on an interim basis at North Beach since last September. James was previously principal of West Woodland Elementary for several years.

Tami Horiuchi, co-president of the North Beach Parent Teacher Association, said parents and teachers feel Bowers will be a good addition to the school.

Bowers previous experience with special programs like Viewlands' Autism All Inclusion Program, which joins students without disabilities in the same classroom as students with the Autism Spectrum Disorder, was a big selling point, said Horiuchi. North Beach has a program similar to Viewlands'.

"We're excited to have her (Bowers)," said Horiuchi. "We feel like it's a good match. Her goals seem to align with our goals."

As part of the district's hiring process, parents and teachers are asked for input on what qualities they want in a principal.

Among some of the top traits, North Beach parents told the district they wanted someone who was willing to commit to the school for several years. North Beach lost it's principal of two years, Chris Morningstar, to another school before James took over temporarily last fall.

Though it's difficult whenever there's a leadership shift, the parent group is confident that Bowers will continue to lead the school in a positive direction, said Horiuchi.

"All indications are that Joanne will come in here and look at what's going on and see what's working and how we can make it even better," said Horiuchi.

Parents also asked for someone with a commitment to educational excellence, experience with a wide range of learners, including special education programs, and a willingness to work with parents and teachers.

Hiring someone that's able to work well with an involved parent community and who can create an environment of "mutual respect" is important to student achievement, said Horiuchi.

"That sort of sets the tone for the whole year," she said. "If we can work together then we can accomplish a lot. Parents are very involved here."

A number of other Seattle schools will also have new leaders this fall, mostly due to retirements and school closures, said district spokeswoman Patti Spencer.

The district is looking to fill positions at Sacajawea, Bagley and Stevens elementary schools, Aki Kurose, Hamilton and Whitman middle schools and Roosevelt and West Seattle high schools.

The African American Academy, the New School, John Stanford International School, Dearborn Park, Roxhill, Sanislo and Wing Luke elementary schools will also have new principals in September.

Typically, teachers, parents and sometimes students can weigh in on who should get the job. Some schools form panels and interview final candidates and then share their opinion with the superintendent and the district's chief academic officer, who make the final hiring decision.

The district accepts applications for positions all year. Seattle principals can earn between $80,000 and $104,000 a year.

Rebekah Schilperoort can be reached at 783.1244 or rebekahs@ballardnewstribune.com.