School board discusses Will Nelson succession plan

The La Conner School Board took its first small steps Monday toward finding a new district superintendent.

A shorthanded board met for about 15 minutes in closed executive session to discuss the process for hiring a successor to Dr. Will Nelson, who announced his resignation March 29 after three years as the district’s lead administrator. He accepted a teaching post at Western Washington University in Bellingham.

No action was taken during the closed portion of the meeting, in part because only School Board President Susie Deyo and board member Alana Quintasket attended in-person. Board member Kim Pedroza participated by cell phone to secure a quorum.

Members John Agen and J.J. Wilbur were unable to attend what was officially described as a study session prior to the board’s regular business meeting later this month.

Nelson was also absent on Monday.

“Dr. Nelson has resigned and will be here through June 30,” Deyo confirmed before the executive session. “We regretfully accept his resignation and appreciate his hard work and thank him for his three years of service.”

While here, Nelson has simultaneously overseen implementation of several innovative academic programs and dealt with a decline in student enrollment that has significantly reduced state funding support and forced difficult budget cuts.

The district, however, has done well lately obtaining grant awards.

The latest example, announced at Monday’s meeting by Director of Teaching and Learning Beth Clothier, is a $150,000 career and technology equipment grant.

The grant will fund a major kitchen upgrade in the school’s culinary arts/social studies room and allow a board-approved purchase of camera gear and drones for use in digital photography classes and the school’s yearbook.

Clothier’s husband, Ryan Hiller, the high school’s career and technology program director and digital photography teacher, wrote the district’s successful grant application.

“He’s really excited,” Clothier said of Hiller’s reaction to the infusion of career and technology funding. “The grant will allow Ryan to buy cameras and drones to enhance what he does in photography class. He’s excited that his kids will have this equipment for the end of the school year.”

Clothier said one of the grant’s objectives is to provide students opportunities to learn how to operate a drone.

The board meets next at 5 p.m. April 22 in the district office building.