Northshore holds public forum for three superintendent finalists; community survey open until 9:30 p.m.

Northshore School District hosted a public forum for three superintendent finalists and invited the community to provide feedback through a survey that remains open until 9:30 p.m. The finalists who spoke were Dr. Sean Carey, current superintendent of the Enumclaw School District; Dr. Patrick Murphy, current superintendent of the Olympia School District; and Dr. Justin Irish, current superintendent of the Anacortes School District.

The forum, moderated by search staff from Ray & Associates, included 5–7 minute closing statements and a question-and-answer session led in part by student moderators. Attendees were told a separate survey must be completed for each candidate; paper translated surveys were also available in the lobby.

Why it matters: the district is conducting a superintendent search that will determine the next chief executive for the Northshore School District. Finalist forums give staff, students, families and community members a chance to compare candidates on priorities such as classroom resources, district budgeting, technology and inclusive school culture.

All three candidates answered questions about how they would tailor programs to meet diverse student needs. Dr. Sean Carey said listening to students, parents and staff and “acting in a way that's in accordance to what it is that's been asked of you” is central to program design, and urged future-focused planning that considers what students will need five to 15 years from now. Carey said protecting classroom resources is a “non negotiable” priority: “that's a place where that remains sacred,” he said.

Budget pressures and staffing were the most frequently raised topics. Dr. Patrick Murphy described long-running fiscal strain and said the district must align spending with available revenue, using the formula he quoted at the forum: “Revenue has to be greater than or equal to expenses.” Murphy described experience cutting $10 million over two years in a district with roughly a $180 million operating budget and urged community outreach and state-level advocacy to stabilize revenue.

Dr. Justin Irish described steps he used in Anacortes and prior districts to protect instruction while trimming costs, including engaging labor and community advisory groups, running budget-education sessions and distinguishing essential from discretionary spending. Irish said he has reduced administrative and classified costs previously and warned that deep cuts could eventually reach classroom spending despite efforts to spare instruction.

All three candidates addressed technology, including the district's recently adopted personal mobile device policy and its approach to artificial intelligence. Carey emphasized training and guardrails and said policy “is only as good as the people who are responsible for making sure that we're actually doing what policies tell us to do.” Murphy described conversations with students about screen time and noted potential social-emotional harms of pervasive device use, while also acknowledging benefits. Irish described pilot practices such as device pockets and said students told him they valued not having phones during class time.

On school culture and inclusion, candidates pointed to core values, adult–student relationships and visible signals of welcome. Carey focused on belonging and removing barriers so students can “become their best possible self.” Murphy emphasized classroom- and school-level norms and the need for adults who connect with students. Irish, who identified himself as gay at the forum, said districts must create spaces where students and staff can “be their full selves” and see themselves in curriculum and school life.

Background on the search and survey process: search staff told the audience that the three finalists were chosen after a process that began with 32 applicants and that the board had previously narrowed the field to six candidates. Attendees were instructed to scan a QR code to access the survey (one scan per candidate) or to use paper translated surveys in the lobby. The moderator said the district would accept survey responses until 9:30 p.m.; participants were given 5–7 minutes in the room to complete each candidate's survey and were told staff would remain available until 9 p.m.

No vote or personnel decision was made at the forum; the event was an opportunity for community input. The district's board and search consultants will receive the survey feedback as part of their ongoing selection process.