Fredrika Smith was hired late Thursday, March 5 as the next superintendent of Monroe Public Schools. Following three full days of interviews and observing by students, community members, staff and school board directors of the three finalists, Monroe's elected leaders deliberated until almost 10:30 p.m. Thursday evening before voting unanimously in a special School Board meeting to hire Smith subject to successful contract negotiations.
"We were most impressed by her passion for children and commitment to maintaining the humanity in public education,GÇ¥ said Katy Woods, president of Monroe's School Board.
Smith, 48, also rose to the top in the School Board's process with her experience in starting innovative programs, strong knowledge of alternative learning and special education, as well as experience working in our state in districts of varying size. She is currently one of three chief academic officers in the Puyallup School District. She oversees about 7,500 students attending one of Puyallup's three high schools, the two junior high schools that send students to that high school and the five elementary schools. Monroe's student enrollment is about 7,000 students.
"I am excited to become a part of the Monroe community and growing the fantastic things the public schools are doing,GÇ¥ Smith said in a press release.
Smith started her career as a Special Education teacher in Marysville and has worked as an assistant principal, director and assistant superintendent in the Stanwood-Camano, Meridian and Mukilteo school districts. She earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Washington (UW), her Master's at Western Washington University and doctorate at UW. She also is a lecturer at UW Bothell.
The two other finalists were Michelle Johnstone, superintendent of Brush School District in Brush, Colorado and Tim Nootenboom, executive director for Elementary Teaching and Learning, Central Valley School District near Spokane.
"This was a very difficult decision for the School Board with so many wonderful candidates in our pool,GÇ¥ Woods said. "That our pool was so deep in talented individuals wanting to join Monroe says volumes about our community's support and partnership in the education our public schools can provide the children in this community.GÇ¥
The community was involved in the process from providing input on desired experience and qualities both in person and online to observing and commenting on the interviews of six semi-finalists to asking direct question of the three finalists during community forums held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week.
"The advice from our community, staff and students was vital to our process,GÇ¥ Woods said. "These are their schools and their voices were what we heard as we reviewed applications, asked interview questions and deliberated on our final selection.GÇ¥
The Board set an ambitious timeline, wanting to announce the hiring of the next superintendent by March for a smooth transition from retiring Ken Hoover to the new person.
Hoover announced in the fall his intent to retire at the end of the current school year on June 30. Hired in Monroe in 2006, Hoover is completing his ninth year in that role and his 27th year in public education.
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