By Pepper Fisher
SEQUIM – In a special meeting Thursday, the Sequim School Board approved the hiring of Joan Zook as Interim Superintendent. Zook’s tenure is set to take effect on January 1.
The current Interim Superintendent Jane Pryne announced her resignation in November, saying she thought it was time for someone else to take over and that December 31 would be her last day.
Zook will sign a 6-month contract pending contract negotiations which are currently under way. Zook has a life-long background in education, and most recently retired as superintendent of the Shelton School District. School Board President Erik Pickens says Zook moved to Sequim about a year ago.
Meanwhile, the school board’s search for a permanent superintendent officially began last Friday with the vacancy and a timeline posted on the District’s website. The recruitment window is open until February 7 and board interviews will begin on Feb. 25. On March 10, community stakeholders will be able to interview the finalists, and the timeline says the final decision will be announced in late March. The new superintendent’s first day will be on July 1.