News & Information

The Bellingham School Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Superintendent Kenneth Vedra and appointed Deputy Superintendent Sherrie Brown as Acting Superintendent, effective Oct. 1.

Dr. Vedra was unexpectedly presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead the Emirates National Schools as School Director in Abu Dhabi, the capital city in the United Arab Emirates, beginning this October. He will work closely with the Bellingham School Board, Brown and other district leaders to launch the school year before his last official day in the district on Sept. 30. He also has agreed to serve as a consultant to the district at no cost for the 2009-10 school year.

“We release Dr. Vedra from his contract with great sadness. We are fortunate because of the caliber of our schools to attract phenomenal leaders and want to support them as they grow,” said School Board President Steve Schoenfeld, who spoke on behalf of the School Board at the Sept. 3 meeting. “We are proud to be the type of school system that attracts highly skilled individuals with progressive ideas – it’s just hard to lose talented people. During his time here, Dr. Vedra worked diligently, side-by-side with Sherrie Brown and other leaders in the community and district, to increase learning options for children and improve our system. As a Board, we have great confidence in Ms. Brown, the district leadership team and the staff, and are certain that our work priorities will continue to move forward.”

Vedra expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to have led the Bellingham School District for two years. “I was confronted with a very difficult decision when I was contacted by representatives for Emirates National Schools. The students, parents, community leaders, staff and School Board members in Bellingham are an amazing group of people who have incredible pride in their schools, and rightly so,” Vedra said. “With much contemplation, I finally came to the conclusion that I could not pass on the opportunity to advance my passion for international education. I thank the Bellingham community and each of our staff members for the privilege to work with you and learn from you.”

Board President Schoenfeld said Brown was selected to serve as Acting Superintendent during this interim period because of her extensive experience, knowledge of the district and its schools, collaborative leadership style, and her ability to provide continuity.

Brown has 39 years of experience in education with 15 of those working in the Bellingham School District. In 1993, Brown led the preparation for a new Kulshan Middle School as planning principal and then served as principal until 2000. She worked as director of curriculum and professional development from 2000 to 2004. She served as executive director of school administration, supervising half of the district's schools and performing numerous other administrative duties, from 2004 until her appointment as deputy superintendent in 2008. Brown earned her superintendent credentials from Washington State University in 2002.

“I am honored to serve in this interim role and work closely with our School Board, staff and community to continue the important work that is underway in our district and schools,” Brown said. “We have a very strong strategic plan, which serves as our roadmap in preparing students, and a leadership team, staff and parent community who are all deeply invested in the quality of our schools. Together, we will continue to move forward.”

The district will develop a plan in the next couple of weeks to address how to sustain the job responsibilities of the deputy superintendent’s position during the interim period.

The School Board will begin formulating a search for superintendent, effective immediately.