Rich Stewart gets ‘A’ for La Conner school work

He rode into town, donned a mask and saved the day.

The Lone Ranger?

No, but in the eyes of many the above aptly describes La Conner School District Superintendent Rich Stewart, who last summer inherited the reins of a district still reeling from prior labor and contract disputes and political fallout that had seen an almost complete turnover of the district’s board of trustees.

Plus, there was COVID-19.

Stewart, whose one-year tenure here ends June 30, would be the last person to label what he has done as heroic. And, further, he will insist he did not do it alone.

It took a collaborative effort to pass a four-year local school levy by a wide margin, hire a new full-time superintendent, improve communication within the district and with the community at large, adopt a new strategic plan and navigate the uncharted waters of providing instruction and services to students during a global pandemic, he said.

Early La Conner staff buy-in, with a “positive problem-solving mode rather than an adversarial mode,” allowed the district to move forward. “Everybody,” he said, “was willing to talk things through and problem-solve.”

District employees took on added duties and responsibilities – Director of Special Programs Andy Wheeler perhaps being foremost among them – as the district responded to the public health threat by shifting first to distance learning and then a hybrid instructional model.

“Our staff,” Stewart said, “pulled together and figured out ways to make things work. Everybody really had to think outside the box to provide instruction while also keeping kids and staff safe.”

The health screening station the district maintained this year is one example. Another is the district’s relationship with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, whose health care professionals provided COVID-19 vaccinations to school staff.

Shared challenges fostered teamwork on campus, Stewart said, creating a sense of achievement for all involved.

“It required a lot of mental energy,” he said, “but I liked that.”

Communication was the key in many areas, according to Stewart. There were regular staff meetings to discuss how the Zoom teleconferencing platform could best serve students and families. Increased dialogue between the school board and administration was launched. The administration and district unions maintained steady contact, again focused on problem-solving strategies, said Stewart.

Stewart conducted 12 separate Zoom meetings with local organizations on both sides of Swinomish Channel prior to the levy election last February.

For his part, Stewart credits the work of a levy election committee comprised of local citizens for the ballot measure’s success.

“It passed by close to 72 per cent,” Stewart noted, “and that was one of the top five levy passages in the state.”

He said the connection between the committee and voters was crucial.

“These are trusted members of the community,” Stewart explained.

Stewart met frequently with board president Susie Gardner Deyo, who included another board member in each of those discussions. The administration and board also held thematic retreats to explore major topics.

The result was efficient and productive board meetings and study sessions. “Susie runs a great meeting,” Stewart said.

Counsel provided by Executive Assistant Cherri Kahns was a great benefit, he said, citing her prior experience in business and town government and lifelong knowledge of the La Conner community.

Stewart said his aim throughout the past academic year was to maintain a visible presence, doing so in many cases while wearing his trademark La Conner Braves pandemic face covering. He looked forward to visiting classrooms and offices to see staff in their respective work environments, familiarizing himself with their varied roles.

“That’s one of the things I like about small school districts,” said Stewart. “You get to know the people you work with and their families.”

There was much taking place on campus even during fall semester, when remote learning was the primary instructional format, he said. There were 60-70 students in school daily due to an array of circumstances - including the lack of internet service in some households.

Teachers found themselves planning lessons for virtual and in-person instruction, no simple juggling act, said Stewart.

He, too, is keeping several balls in the air simultaneously in his final week on the job, including helping ease the transition for new superintendent Will Nelson, whose official start date is July 1.

“Will and I have spent a ton of time together,” Stewart said. “I’ve really wanted to keep him updated and give him a head start. I made that commitment. I know how important that is having come in on July 10 (last year).”

A veteran public schools administrator who has specialized in interim work and is now semi-retired, he is at a stage in life where he can be selective of which assignments he takes. He has no idea where he will work next school year, if at all.

“I’ve already turned down one offer,” he said, declining to name the district in question. “It has to be the right fit.”

La Conner, he insists, was one of those right fits.

“I enjoyed getting to know the community,” he told the Weekly News, “and I felt very welcomed here. I’ve developed friendships and met people with whom I will definitely stay in contact.”