Mikki Gifford is looking forward to her new role with La Conner schools.

Make that, roles.

Gifford is the new combination middle school-high school assistant principal and athletic director, a dual post she says is ideal given her extensive background in secondary level academics and extra-curricular activities.

She arrives at La Conner after 15 years with the Oak Harbor School District and more than two decades in public education.

“I entered the field of education to make a difference,” Gifford said last week. “Each school day I have this honored opportunity to create a positive inf...