Dear District and Community Members,
Before we announce our 3 finalists, we want to take a moment to recap our superintendent search so far.
On September 23rd, 2024, the Board chose Northwest Leadership Associates (NWLA) to assist us in our search for a new Superintendent. We held day long focus group meetings on October 22nd, 2024, to get feedback from not only our staff but from community members as well.
On October 28th, 2024, NWLA presented their findings from the focus groups to the Board of Directors, which they used to craft our job posting. They also did a mid-search update to the board on January 13th, 2025.
The application window closed on February 14th, 2025. There was a total of 24 completed application packets. The Board met with NWLA on February 19th, 2025, to narrow the list down to 6 semi-finalists.
This past Saturday, March 1st, 2025, the board held interviews for the 6 semi-finalists and narrowed it down to our 3 finalists.
We are happy to announce the following 3 finalists. Click their name to access their resume:
1. Dr. Chris Granger, Superintendent of Blaine School District
2. Lauri Landerholm, Assistant Superintendent of La Center School District
3. Dr. Nathan Plummer, Principal Heritage Tulalip High School
Each of the finalists will spend a day in our district this week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), in the order they are listed above. This will include a public session each evening at 6:15 pm in the Commons of the Sultan Middle School. Here is the Zoom webinar link for people to view the public session. No further questions will be able to be asked via the Zoom Webinar.
Thank you for submitting your questions ahead of time as these will be what is asked of each candidate. Due to the large number of questions received, and a 45-minute public session, our consultants will be narrowing down the list of questions, combining those that are similar in nature, so that we have enough time to address as many as possible.
There will be candidate feedback forms available for staff throughout the day and at the public session to be completed by hand. It will also have a QR code for those that wish to complete it online by the end of each day. You can access the Superintendent candidate feedback form here.
On Thursday evening, the board will meet in executive session to discuss the 3 candidates. We will then enter a public session to vote on our choice for the new superintendent for the Sultan School District.
We appreciate and value your input and want to thank each and every one of you for your assistance in this very important decision.
On behalf of the Sultan School District Board of Directors,
Gigi Gouldner
President/Director District 5