Seattle Schools reorganizes oversight into regions

Seattle Public Schools on Tuesday announced a shake-up in the oversight of its 88 schools.

In the past, five instructional directors have been responsible for assessing principals and school performance. Three directors oversaw elementary schools, one oversaw middle schools and one oversaw high schools.

But a year after taking over as the district's chief academic officer, Susan Enfield has reconfigured oversight into regions. Five new "executive directors" will now oversee a geographic cluster of schools from pre-K through high school.

Just one previous director has been named to the new oversight panel: Michael Tolley, who has overseen high schools since 2007.

Two new directors have been named to the oversight panel: Phil Brockman, who has been principal of Ballard High School for the past five years; and Aurora Lora, founder and administrator of the Harriet Tubman Leadership Academy for Young Women in Portland Public Schools.

The district is still recruiting to fill the other two new spots, which pay in the range of $103,000 to $142,000, according to a job posting on the district's website.

The new directors will provide support, supervision and evaluation of principals, the district said. They will also play a key role in implementing the new student-assignment plan.

District spokeswoman Patti Spencer said the remaining former directors are going in different directions. Gloria Mitchell has retired. Patrick Johnson has taken a new job in Tacoma Public Schools. Pat Sander will take on a new, as yet undefined, role with the district. And Ruth Medsker has been appointed interim principal at West Seattle High School.

Enfield could not be reached Tuesday evening.

The district also outlined other new appointments Tuesday. Kevin Wynkoop will be interim principal at Ballard High School; and Kaaren Andrews will be principal for Interagency Academy.

Elementary-school appointments include: Stacey "Tate" Loftin, principal for Coe Elementary; Angela Sheffey, principal at Dearborn Park Elementary; Ben Ostrom, principal at Highland Park Elementary; Stan Jaskot, principal at Northgate Elementary.

Three interim principals become permanent: Clover Codd at Alki Elementary; Henterson Carlisle at Madison Middle School; and Jessee Wyeth at Broadview-Thompson K-8.

Nick Perry: 206-515-5639 or nperry@seattletimes.com