The following letter was sent to the Northshore School Board on Feb. 29 from current Nortshore School District Superintendent Larry Francois:

Dear Northshore Staff and Families,

In my eight years as your superintendent, I have written dozens of messages to our staff, families and community. Many have spoken to the great work happening across our schools to provide a world-class education to our students. Others have updated you on major district initiatives and our continuing journey to adapt and improve as our community grows and changes. This message is much more personal in nature.

Last week I informed the Board of Directors that I was offered and have accepted the position of Superintendent of the Northwest Educational Service District 189 (NWESD), effective July 1 of this year. After eight years in Northshore – and unquestionably the pinnacle of my 23 years as a school administrator and 13 years as a district superintendent – I intend to submit my resignation effective June 30 following the successful completion of required background checks and approval of an employment contract by the NWESD Board of Directors at their next regularly scheduled meeting on March 23. The Northshore School Board will immediately begin assessing options for identifying a new superintendent.

As one of nine educational service districts in Washington State, the NWESD provides regulatory, operational and program support to the 35 school districts and numerous private schools in Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties. With up to a dozen years left in my career, the retirement of the current NWESD superintendent after 16 years of distinguished service provided a unique and rare opportunity to pursue a different and exciting leadership challenge in a region where I have spent the majority of my professional career.

I sought this opportunity after many weeks of thought, reflection and discussion with my family and my network of personal and professional advisors. I previously informed the School Board and district leadership of my decision to pursue this position, and I have greatly appreciated their support and encouragement of my personal and professional aspirations. I have had the honor of working with the most talented team of professional educators in my career over the past eight years. They have been instrumental in my ongoing development as a leader, and I will forever be appreciative and thankful for their contributions to my continued learning and growth.

Most of all, I am incredibly proud and excited by the direction of our district as we look towards the many changes and improvements on tap over the next two years. While there is much to do in the upcoming 18 months as we prepare for the opening of North Creek High School, reconfiguring grade levels and adjusting boundaries and start times in the fall of 2017, the direction is set and most of the remaining major implementation decisions should be made by the end of this school year. With a complete turnover of the School Board that hired me eight years ago, a leadership transition at this time presents a tremendous opportunity for the newly formed Board to chart the next chapter in Northshore’s storied history with a leader who can bring fresh ideas and perspectives. I have pledged my support to the Board in whatever capacity they would choose to assist in the transition to a new superintendent.

It remains my great honor and privilege to serve as your superintendent for the remaining months of this school year. There is still much to do in service to our students, families and staff, and I intend to remain fully engaged in the challenges and opportunities we have before us. Northshore is rightly recognized as one of the top school districts in Washington State, and I am humbled to have had the opportunity to apply my talents and passions in this community for the past eight years.

With deep appreciation,

Larry Francois, Superintendent