Central Kitsap School District Superintendent Greg Lynch is getting back to his military roots.

He was recently appointed by Gov. Christine Gregoire as the state’s representative and commissioner on a national commission which oversees implementation of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

“I’m honored that (Gregoire) chose me to be the state commissioner,” Lynch said. “I was appointed to the Governor’s task force last year and was the superintendent representative on the task force. That appointment by the Washington Association of School Administrators led to this appointment.”

The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is intended to address the significant educational and emotional challenges faced by military families due to frequent relocations. Specifically, the compact allows for a smoother transition for students as they move from one state educational system to another.

Last year’s 16-member, statewide Governor’s task force included three other school district superintendents; four legislators; and representatives from various state departments. The task force met six times between May and November last year to analyze the compact, explore concerns and make recommendations regarding how to address those concerns. The legislation was ultimately signed by Gregoire May 7.

Lynch, having served in the military himself, said his experience would help him a lot with this new position.

“My daughter was raised as a military-connected child,” he said. “She has experienced all of the things that are driving this whole notion around the Interstate Military Compact, which is about trying to ease transition for military families, particularly military students.”

Lynch, who has been an active supporter of the compact for nearly two years, said two main responsibilities come with his new role.

“Number one is to represent the governor as the state commissioner at the national conference which is in about three weeks,” Lynch said. “The second responsibility is to select members of a state group, much like we did the task force last year, and I’ll chair the state group. I imagine that’s going to take some time because the devil will be in the details.”