The Federal Way Public Schools board of directors has selected Tammy Campbell as the district’s next superintendent of schools, pending completion of contract negotiations, with a starting date of July 1.
“Federal Way Public Schools has a strong commitment to closing the achievement gap,” Campbell said. “I feel honored to join in the work of the district to ensure success for the students and families we serve.”
Campbell is currently serving as the assistant superintendent for learning and teaching in the Renton School District.
However, she did say she will begin the search for a home in Federal Way.
“I’m just humbled and excited about the opportunity to work in a district that, in a lot of ways, has been at the cutting edge of instruction work around grading and promising practices in the classroom and providing access to students.”
At a special board meeting on Tuesday, the board voted to offer the superintendent position to Campbell.
“Dr. Campbell is the unanimous choice of our board because of her vision, her knowledge and her passion,” said school board President Geoffery McAnalloy.
The new superintendent was chosen after a six-month national search led by the school board. The district retained Ray and Associates search firm to guide recruiting and screening of candidates. A student advisory committee and community advisory committee, comprised of parents, teachers and community partners, were created to ensure broad-based input to the board from the earliest stages.
The position was vacated after former Superintendent Rob Neu took a superintendent position for the Oklahoma City Public School District last April. Assistant Superintendent Sally McLean, also a finalist for the position, has acted as interim superintendent since last May.
“We developed our search criteria for a new superintendent based on feedback from the community and our stakeholders,” McAnalloy said. “Dr. Campbell exceeded our expectations and made a strong impression on forum attendees with her track record of increasing academic rigor and student achievement. After a final round of interviews and two days of stakeholder meetings, the choice was clear.”
Campbell said her dream has always been to serve as many students as possible and has felt that way during her time as a teacher, a principal and as an assistant superintendent.
“I think one of the most important things right now is our schools are inundated with initiatives, some internal and external,” she said. “We want to focus on community and family engagement, all communities and families, and we want to be focusing on boosting achievement for every single student so we can close gaps.”
Campbell said she is advocating for every student in the Federal Way district.
“Each student has a gift and an asset,” she said. “That’s what I think the role of superintendent is, to not just focus on the group but each individual student.”
Federal Way is the eighth-largest school district in the state serving nearly 22,000 students, with 23 elementary schools, seven middle schools and five high schools. Federal Way has been recognized for its partnerships with innovative programs, such as the Technology Access Foundation (TAF), the Cambridge Program and The Learner First, and for innovative policies that include Academic Acceleration.
“Please join us in welcoming Dr. Campbell as the new superintendent of Federal Way Public Schools,” McAnalloy said. “Once we have a contract in place, details of the transition will be worked out. Federal Way Public Schools will hold a reception prior to the end of the school year, so staff, parents, and the community can meet and welcome her.”
