During last week’s Bremerton School District board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Aaron Leavell named Lynn Caddell as an interim assistant superintendent. Caddell, who is principal of Washington Youth Academy, will take over the assistant superintendent role for one year.
Caddell’s temporary contract is effective immediately and is active through June of next year. His duties will include school support for buildings and principals, including principal evaluations. He will also be responsible for curriculum, instruction adoptions and materials selections, state and local assessments, school and student safety, teaching and learning initiatives, professional development for staff and parent outreach.
A few days after the meeting, Leavell stated that he chose Caddell for several reasons, including his dedication to working in a variety of settings.
“He is trustworthy, highly respected as an administrator, has had many different educational experiences, is a person of integrity and knows and loves Bremerton kids, families, and staff as much as I do,” Leavell wrote in an email. “His belief system about education and students is one of equity and opportunity for all, and this is in alignment with my core beliefs as superintendent. Lynn has experience at the middle and high school levels, including alternative high school and “optional” school settings.”
While there are what Leavell calls “always qualified candidates” up for the challenge, the superintendent said more is needed.
“For what we need right now in Bremerton, and for what I consider a true fit rounding out a solid existing central office team, Lynn was the obvious choice,” he said.
Caddell’s goal as a principal and teacher at the Washington Youth Academy focused on working with at-risk youth “to improve their educational level and employment potential” states the school’s website.
Caddell said he is looking forward to his new role and working with the superintendent he knows well.
“He honored me with a phone call,” said Caddell of learning of the position. Caddell said he and Leavell worked together years ago on figuring out how to offer options for students if traditional school wasn’t working.
“I’m excited to have an opportunity to bring those ideas I’ve implemented at the educational level and kinda move the whole district forward,” he said. “Aaron has a passion for that.”
Throughout the year, Caddell’s interim title will be evaluated, but Leavell said he has no doubt that Caddell will be around the district for awhile.
“I will be analyzing the effectiveness of the current administrative structure in our district throughout the school year, and there may be changes recommended to the school board about the current system,” said Leavell. “I am confident there will be a permanent spot for Lynn in some leadership capacity at the district level beyond this year. What that looks like at this moment (in) time, I couldn’t say.”
