Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Karst Brandsma   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, July 10, 2008 Contract OK'd for Everett's interim schools chief By Kaitlin Manry, Herald Writer EVERETT -- The Everett School Board approved a 10-month contract Tuesday evening with Karst Brandsma, making the deputy superintendent the district's new interim superintendent. He will be paid the equivalent of a $175,656 annual salary, plus benefits, including $500 a month to use his vehicle for work travel. Brandsma is taking over for Super­in­ten­dent Carol Whitehead, who is retiring early, due in part to a death threat she received in April. Brandsma's contract begins when Whitehead retires Sept. 1. "I'm honored and humbled to have been chosen to lead Everett Public Schools," he said Tuesday night. "This district has an outstanding record of improving student learning and we have an extraordinarily supportive community that cares about students. I think our staff is very professional and dedicated and I look forward to starting the job." The three board members present at Tuesday's meeting -- Kristie Dutton, Sue Cooper and Ed Petersen -- voted unanimously to approve the contract. The president of the district's teacher union had previously expressed concern over the appointment because of Brandsma's role in placing a surveillance camera in a classroom in 2007. Brandsma has been with the 18,500-student school district for seven years. He was hired as an associate superintendent and promoted to deputy superintendent. Brandsma currently earns $158,693 a year as deputy superintendent. Whitehead receives $183,615 annually. The school board hasn't yet decided how to proceed with the search for a new superintendent. Reporter Kaitlin Manry: 425-339-3292 or kmanry@heraldnet.com.

1. Tulalip man, 20, charged with baby boy's murder 2. Donated safe gives Marysville museum a mystery 3. Fears over commercial air service at Paine Field dismissed 4. Everett officer charged with manslaughter reveals plan for defense 5. Merchants reject security for downtown Snohomish 6. Holmgren interested in returning to Seahawks 7. Friends open account for orphaned daughters of Highway 9 crash victims 8. Crack That Safe 9. Country singing contestant Chance McKinney amazed by his fans 10. Have M’s, Figgins reached a deal? 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Wildcats fall to familar foe in semis • ‘Nutcracker' times three • Road warrior • Mavericks reloading • Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings • Cities prepare for winter blast repeat • Wolfpack duo takes last shot at state tourney • This Weekend in Your Town • Tips for the stormy season • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million