Longtime retired educator Kathy Tully has been appointed the interim superintendent of the Raymond School District through June 30. Tully takes over for Ross Baker, who was terminated by the Raymond School Board after being in the position for less than one year.
Tully has attended many colleges and has received several degrees and certificates including: Central Michigan University (Spanish and Elementary Education); University of Washington (fifth year); University of Portland (Master's in Educational Leadership); and Seattle Pacific University (Principal's Certificate).
Tully took time from her busy schedule to answer questions from the Herald.
Herald: Are you currently retired? Can you give us a little background about your teaching and educational experience?
Tully: I am a retired educator, having had four years of teaching K-2 at Mossyrock Elementary and 27 years of teaching experience, grades K-6, plus a year as the elementary librarian here in the Raymond School District. I was also an elementary principal for five years at White Pass Elementary before officially retiring in 2010. With a strong passion for helping schools, I then either worked at schools as part of ESD#113 as a School Improvement Specialist or as an Instructional Coach with contracts under my business name KT Consulting.
Herald: Who is helping you with the transition period?
Tully: The Superintendent of ESD #113, Dana Anderson, is checking in with me on a weekly basis, and I have called other superintendents that I know for advice. Quite honestly, the best helpers have been the people who work in this District, including my office staff, the tech people, the bus/maintenance supervisor, the custodial staff, the secretaries, the principals/administration team, the counselors, the cafeteria staff, the teachers and the paraeducators who come to work each day to provide services to the students, and answer all my questions.
Herald: How many days per week are you working? What days and hours do you work?
Tully: When I chose to accept this job, I had 56 days that I could give the District from March 28 through June 30. I am in the District almost every day. I am in the office by 7:30 each morning and usually leave around five. When I am on a mission, I don't slow down.
Herald: What exactly will you be doing? How are things going for you with the position so far?
Tully: If you were to come into my office, you would see 20 yellow sticky notes across my cupboards. They include mostly long-term "buckets" of work that I hope to complete by June 30. They range from hiring a permanent elementary principal to strengthening our ECEAP/preschool program to doing routine (school) board policy updates to creating a budget for the 2022/2023 school year. In addition, I have many meetings each day to hear people's stories, work with the unions, and move the District forward with instructional practices. Then I often go home and read up on topics I need to know more about. With just two weeks under my belt, I feel I have kept my head above water!
Herald: Do you have any intention of applying for the superintendent's position?
Tully: It is not my intention to apply for the superintendent's position. After 48 years as an educator, my intention is to go back to being a grandmother and work just 10 to 20 days a year as an educational consultant. The work I do is very satisfying and very part-time.
Herald: Can you tell me anything about the current superintendent's vacancy search? Is Baker still employed at RSD or is he now completely out of the picture? What were the events that led up to Baker not being able to finish out his position through June 30?
Tully: These questions are not in my knowledge base, so I can't answer them for you.