La Conner School Board members want input on what approach should be taken as they seek a successor to Superintendent Will Nelson, who is stepping down after three years.

Nelson announced earlier this month that he will be leaving June 30 to accept a teaching post at Western Washington University in Bellingham.

The board’s superintendent search process began Monday when school staff participated in the first of two listening sessions designed to discuss filling the pending vacancy.

The second session, targeting community participation, is at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, in the district office board room.

“Your insights and perspectives are highly valuable as we navigate this process together,” board members said in a statement released by executive assistant Cherri Kahns on April 12. “Your participation and input are crucial in ensuring that we make informed decisions that align with our mission, vision and values. We look forward to hearing from you and working collaboratively towards our shared goals.”

These sessions are to foster brainstorming, gather comments and suggestions and engage in meaningful discussions for the selection of a new superintendent, officials said.

Nelson, who has worked in the private sector as well as public education, was successful in implementing several new educational initiatives – including mastery-based learning – upon his arrival in 2021.

He succeeded interim superintendent Rich Stewart, who served during the 2020-21 academic year, a period marked by social distancing and remote instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stewart was hired following the resignation of Whitney Meissner, who left after three years to become an administrator in the large Lake Washington School District in King County.

Meissner followed Peg Seeling, then the district’s curriculum and athletics director, who became interim superintendent following the resignation of Tim Bruce, who had led the district since the 1990s. The campus performing arts center is named for him.

Bruce transitioned to a teaching role at WWU, the same path now being followed by Nelson.