Bellevue School District (BSD405.org) has chosen a new Director of Curriculum Sharon (Collins) Kautz (the former Principal at Interlake High School). This is obviously a big hire for any of us that care about the future direction of curriculum in Bellevue School District. I do not know Sharon well enough to be able to categorize this as a win or a loss. It will be interesting to hear your opinions and to see her future performance.

The new hire for Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Employee Relations, and General Counsel looks like he has a LOT of experience. Hopefully he’ll bring some sanity to the absolute risk aversion of this district (see my post on President Obama’s speech and reference something I never posted… last years’ PTSA auctions where teachers were told they couldn’t donate “Hiking with Mrs. Jones” trips!!)

Following is the actual text of the announcement (from Eva Collins, no relation I believe ):

• Dear Bellevue School District Colleagues,I hope this first week of school has been one of joy and excitement for you. From what I’ve seen on students’ faces and in classrooms, we are off to a wonderful start for the 2009-10 school year. Thank you for all the energy you devoted to making this first week a success.I have some news to share with you about administrative positions that have been filled:

  Sharon (Collins) Kautz has accepted the position of Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Sharon has been serving as the Interlake High School Principal. She has also served as a middle school principal, assistant principal, and high school math teacher.

  Russell White will serve as Interim Principal at Interlake for the school
  year. Russell is “back home” in that he was formerly an assistant principal at Interlake before transferring to Sammamish High School as an assistant principal this year. His replacement at Sammamish has not yet been identified.

  We are welcoming Ricardo Cruz to Bellevue School District as our new
  Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Employee Relations, and General Counsel. Ricardo comes to us from the Seattle School District where he has been serving as the Labor Relations Director. He has also worked as the Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for King County, Director of Human Resources at Seattle City Light, and Assistant City Attorney for the City of Seattle. We are excited to have him join the Bellevue School District.

  Have a terrific 3-day weekend!