Superintendent Raj Manhas and Chief Academic Officer Carla Santorno have announced principal appointments for the 2007-2008 school year.
"I am very impressed by the caliber of the individuals appointed to principal roles for 2007-2008," said Superintendent Raj Manhas. "We have promoted a number of talented individuals from within the district, and attracted several excellent leaders from surrounding districts."
For the first time the open recruitment process included a hands-on demonstration of each applicant's strengths as instructional leaders. Santorno took candidates on an educational walk-through of classrooms to see instruction in progress.
Candidates were also asked to provide written feedback on their observations.
Appointments made for Ballard include:
North Beach Elementary: Joanne Bowers, current principal at Viewlands Elementary, which will close in June, has been appointed principal at North Beach Elementary. A 22-year Seattle Schools veteran, Bowers taught at Catherine Blaine K-8 and Graham Hill, Van Asselt and Whitworth elementary schools from 1986-1994. She started her career in administration in 1994, serving as principal of Coho (now Salmon Bay), Orca and Viewlands elementary schools. Bowers holds a masters in education degree. She replaces Ed James, who has been filling in on an interim basis.
Whitman Middle School: Michael Starosky has been appointed principal at Whitman Middle School. Starosky has a long history of involvement at Whitman, serving as assistant principal since 2002 and even attending Whitman as a middle school student. He has been athletic director at both Whitman and Asa Mercer middle schools since 1998.
As an instructional leader at Whitman, Starosky has provided professional development to staff on a wide range of topics, including race and equity, cultural competency, anti-bullying and ELL student immersion and evaluation. Before becoming Whitman's assistant principal, Starosky spent six years as a language arts/social studies and health teacher at Asa Mercer.
He holds a bachelor's degree in school health education from Central Washington University and a master's in school administration from Western Washington University. Starosky replaces Robert Kogane, who is retiring.
