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Seattle School Board Names Ben Shuldiner Sole Finalist for Superintendent

A unanimous board vote now triggers contract negotiations on his terms, with interim leadership continuing until a final approval.

Overview

  • The board’s Nov. 5 vote authorized talks on salary and start date, and a second vote will be required to finalize the hire.
  • Shuldiner has led the Lansing School District since 2021, remaining in that role while Seattle negotiates a contract.
  • Board leaders cited his financial and operational expertise and a record of gains in graduation, attendance, enrollment, and a fund balance increase of more than $40 million in Lansing.
  • Seattle faces significant budget pressures after a roughly $100 million gap prompted, then shelved, a plan to close 17–21 schools, with leaders now looking to levy renewals for stability.
  • Fred Podesta continues as interim superintendent following Brent Jones’s medical leave in May, maintaining continuity during the transition process.