The Federal Way Public Schools board of directors has named the 15 appointed members of the Citizens Superintendent Search Advisory Committee.
The committee roster represents a diverse sampling of the Federal Way community and district’s stakeholders, including staff, parents, business leaders, civic organizations and other community members.
The board was pleased by the response to its call for applicants for the committee.
“We had an excellent pool of 98 applicants, making it difficult to limit the number of candidates to 15,” said Geoffery McAnalloy, vice president.
The role of the advisory committee is to provide input and assistance during the superintendent search process. The committee will:
• Provide input on the qualities and characteristics that are being sought in the next superintendent.
• Give input on process, community forums and other means of community and staff engagement as the process moves forward with recommendations to the board.
The members of the committee are:
• Mark Koppang (chair) — Community member, active volunteer and city leader
• Marie Verhaar — Assistant superintendent of teaching for learning, Federal Way Public Schools
• Michael Swartz — Principal, Wildwood Elementary
• Jason Brown — Federal Way Education Association president
• Elizabeth Bagnell — Family liaison, Valhalla Elementary
• Young Hyuk Hong — Parent, community member and teacher, Lakota Middle School
• Barbara Vukas — Parent, community member and teacher, Sherwood Forest Elementary
• Woody Ahn — Parent and community member, Raider Parent Movement vice president
• Joaquin Moran — Parent and community member
• Karey Wolber — Parent, community member and teacher, Olympic View and Star Lake elementary
• Tracy Galsim — Parent, community member and classified staff person, Adelaide Elementary
• Levi Suiaunoa — Parent, community member and classified staff person, Decatur High School
• Grace Ssebugwawo — Parent, parent leader, community member
• Don Hyun — Parent, community member
• Leslie Sessoms — Parent, community member, business community member
The committee’s first meeting will take place on Nov. 18. Applicants to the committee who were not selected were informed by email.
Additional ways to provide input
All community members, students, parents and staff are encouraged to provide input on the search for a permanent superintendent for Federal Way Public Schools:
Take a brief survey to tell the district the qualities you value in our next superintendent at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7WJ6T5P.
On Dec. 10, two public forums will be held at 9 a.m. and at 6 p.m. The forums will be held at the Federal Way Public Schools Educational Service Center, 33330 Eighth Ave. S.
