Principal search at an end? Martin picked to lead elementary school as ‘interim’ principal

Connie Martin of the Auburn School District is in line to lead Friday Harbor Elementary School in the role as “interim” principal.

San Juan Island School District Superintendent Rick Thompson announced late Thursday that Martin, a graduate of Washington State University and interim vice principal at Olympic Middle School in Auburn, was offered, and has accepted, the position as interim principal of Friday Harbor Elementary School.

She is slated to begin the assignment July 1, pending final approval by the school district’s board of directors. The board’s next regularly-scheduled meeting is June 29.

Thompson said district officials will craft a compensation package over the next several weeks and that Martin will be offered a one-year contract due to the “interim” nature of the assignment. He noted, however, that Martin could be considered for a more permanent role depending on her performance during the upcoming school year.

“It may turn into something more but we’ll wait and see how it goes,” Thompson said. “It could turn into more but right now it’s a one-year position.”

Martin was among three finalists selected by the district’s search committee to be interviewed for the interim post by district and school staff, and by members of the community. She has been an elementary school classroom teacher, physical education instructor and served as an language arts specialist in Auburn’s elementary schools for seven years.

Thompson noted that Martin was selected as a finalist for the interim post based on a careful screening of her paperwork and resume by the search committee, which includes members of the district staff and parents. She demonstrated poise, tenacity and a commitment to student learning during the hiring process, he said in a prepared statement announcing the appointment.

In addition to her undergraduate degrees, Martin earned a master’s degree in educational leadership at Seattle Pacific University in 2010.