Staff member urges board to prioritize stability as assistant superintendent resigns

Summary

A district staff member addressed the board during public comment in June, expressing concern about turnover in the assistant superintendent role and commending the board for engaging with difficult staffing and budget choices. The board acknowledged the comment and said it will follow hiring processes.

During the public-comment period at the June Shoreline School District Board of Directors meeting, staff member Sage Wiltsie told the board she was "sorrowful" about the resignation of Assistant Superintendent Angela von Essen and raised concerns about turnover in key leadership over recent years.

"I would like to start by expressing my sorrow at Angela von Essen's resignation at the June. It's gonna be a big loss for the district," Sage Wiltsie said. Wiltsie noted prior departures in central-office leadership over the last four years and urged care in the hiring process.

Wiltsie also commended the board for engaging with staffing and budget questions, adding that they appreciated the board's willingness to confront difficult choices. "Thank you for leading and doing hard work," Wiltsie said.

Board officers thanked Wiltsie for the comment and noted the district will proceed with the hiring process. The board did not take any personnel action during the meeting. The meeting's consent agenda, which included routine items, passed unanimously on a motion by Director Cohen and a second by Director Williams.