SEDRO-WOOLLEY — Dozens of community members packed into the Sedro-Woolley School Board meeting on Monday, reeling from a sudden announcement that Superintendent Miriam Mickelson would be leaving the district.
The school board announced Friday, Feb. 21 that Mickelson had agreed to “mutual separation for no cause.” Mickelson’s last day was Thursday, Feb. 20. She was hired as superintendent in 2021.
The impetus for the change appears to be a desire to take “the district in a new direction, building on the work that Dr. Mickelson has done these past four years,” the board wrote in the news release, noting that four of the board members who hired Mickelson no longer sit on the board.
Assistant Superintendent Brian Isakson was appointed interim superintendent.
“While it’s not under the happiest of circumstances by any means, Brian Isakson does have our full support and confidence of the board to serve as our interim superintendent,” Board President Eric Johnson said.
Mickelson declined to comment further when asked about her departure from the district. Johnson said that the board could not discuss the circumstances around the resignation due to the provisions in the resignation contract. Mickelson will receive severance equal to 18 months of her base salary, paid over the next six months in three installments. As of the 2023-24 school year, Mickelson was paid $287,455, according to a list compiled by the state.
The remaining three board members — Johnson, Lindy Mullen Doyle and Brent Schiefelbein — met on Monday, Feb. 24 in front of an upset crowd, who praised Mickelson for her devotion to the community, her qualifications, and expressed concern with how the decision was handled.
The board members did not respond in the meeting to the community’s concerns and complaints. Cascadia Daily News reached out to Johnson for further comment.
Parent Eddie Johnson became emotional in public comment, saying Mickelson stood up for his children many times. “I believe that the board made a very poor decision,” he said.
Former school board member Jim Kallio criticized the board for making such a consequential decision with two board seats empty.
In the last six months, two school board members resigned. Brandon Bond, who resigned in September, said it was due to personal reasons and a desire to focus on family. Danielle Russell resigned on Jan. 24, also citing family as her reason for stepping down.
“With both my family’s and the District’s growing needs, providing the time and commitment they each deserve has become increasingly challenging,” she wrote in her resignation letter to Mickelson.
The board failed to fill Bond’s position, despite many applicants. The Northwest Educational Service District 189 is now selecting a new board member for the district based on a list the board sent them. Russell has not yet been replaced, although applications for her position were due Feb. 14.
Eric Johnson said the board was unable to come to consensus on the person to fill Bond’s position, but he expects the board to conduct interviews for Russell’s position shortly. He said he hopes to have a full board by the end of March.
High school math teacher Vanessa Jones said at public comment Monday that Mickelson not only voiced that equity and inclusion mattered, but “also showed it through the actions she took as a superintendent.”
“I worry when we are losing good leadership in our board and in our administration, what direction that is moving us as a district,” she said.
Parent Sam Torset called Mickelson “eminently qualified for the position” and committed.
“I know that if I asked here, if it was worth our time to wipe this whole board clean and replace it with new people, just so that we could keep Miriam Mickelson, that a vast majority of people would [agree],” Torset said, interrupted by cheers. “This will damage our community for a very long time.”
School board student representatives Spencer White and Adriana Rodriguez, who do not have a vote on the board, said they were shocked by the announcement.
White said he appreciated how “inclusive” Mickelson is. Rodriguez said Mickelson went out of her way to attend student events and even brought her flowers after missing the drama club’s most recent production, which Rodriguez was part of.
“I’ve never felt so seen by a staff member,” Rodriguez said.
This article was updated on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 12:35 a.m. to include additional comment from the Sedro-Woolley School Board President.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
