Sumner Bonney Lake board honors retirees and introduces new administrators

The Sumner Bonney Lake School District board on June 18 honored two longtime employees who are leaving the district and heard introductions for a slate of newly hired administrators across elementary, secondary and human resources roles.

The board presented plaques and remarks recognizing Beth (last name not consistently recorded in the meeting transcript) and Karen Finnegan for their years of service. Karen Finnegan was identified in the meeting as the district’s executive director of special services; speakers praised her leadership in behavioral supports and special education prior to her retirement.

Speakers introduced new and returning administrators joining the district’s elementary and secondary teams. New or newly assigned roles announced during the meeting included: - Angela Kelly, principal at Victor Falls (continuing in the role after serving as assistant principal); - Bethany Whistler, assistant principal at Victor Falls (formerly a dean of students in Enumclaw School District); - Cheryl Eldridge, assistant principal at Crestwood (previously dean of students at Liberty Ridge Elementary; 25 years in the district); - Brett McDaniel, returning to Mountain View Middle School as assistant principal after a year at Character Strong; - Charlie Hyland, Nexus system lead for Spring Lake High School (formerly an assistant principal and CTE director at other high schools); - Adam Euler and Shelley Stickel, named as the district’s two new directors of human resources.

Several speakers noted the district’s practice of re‑hiring experienced leaders who are familiar with local schools and praised the retirees’ and incoming administrators’ commitments to student‑centered work. The district paused for a short break after the recognitions and introductions.