Superintendent-elect John Welch and family  with Superintendent Joe McGeehan

The Highline School Board voted Friday evening to hire Highline Deputy Superintendent John Welch to replace Superintendent Joe McGeehan, who is retiring in June. 
 
"I am very pleased to be your next superintendent," Mr. Welch said after the board vote. "It will be an honor to serve the children and families of our community. I believe Highline has some of the best teachers in the state, and even in the nation. I look forward to working with you."
 
Mr. Welch has served as Highline's deputy superintendent since 2002. His areas of responsibility include developing the district budget, which won a Meritorious Budget award from the Association of School Budget Officials in 2004. He has also led the effort to transform the district's traditional high schools into small learning communities. 
 
Mr. Welch and his family, who currently reside in Federal Way, will relocate to the Highline area. He will start as superintendent on July 1. 
 
The board cited Welch's passion for educating all students and his vision for the future of Highline Public Schools as key points in their decision. "Mr. Welch knows Highline and knows where we need to go," said School Board President Tom Slattery. "Because of his work the past three years in Highline, Mr. Welch is uniquely qualified to lead our schools to the next level."
 
The board conducted a national search for candidates starting in January. Of the 18 applicants, four met the criteria set by the board for the interview phase and were interviewed by the board. The board was prepared to bring three candidates forward for public interviews, but after deliberation all board members agreed that only two finalists should remain in the running. The finalists were interviewed by the board in a public meeting. Feedback was given to the board by a 30-member responder panel representing a broad range of stakeholders in the community. 

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