New Regional Superintendents

Dr. Ken Collins Lake Stevens SD Dr. Ken Collins joins Lake Stevens SD as the next superintendent. Dr. Collins’ work in the district spans more than 31 years. He is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning - a position he’s held for the past two years.

Dr. Collins will replace Dr. Amy Beth Cook who will retire this June after 10 years as Superintendent of Lake Stevens SD.

Dr. Collins is scheduled to begin on July 1.

Dr. Miriam Mickelson Sedro-Woolley SD Dr. Miriam Mickelson has been appointed by the Board of Directors as the next superintendent of Sedro-Woolley SD. Dr. Mickelson is moving from a position as Executive Director of Teaching and Learning in the Snohomish School District. She officially begins July 1.

Dr. Mickelson replaces Superintendent Phil Brockman who will retire this summer after eight years in the position. Board members said it was an especially difficult process because of Brockman’s incredible leadership.

Mark Galley Nooksack Valley SD

Will Nelson La Conner SD Mark Galley has been named the new superintendent of Nooksack Valley SD starting at the end of June. Galley entered a formal internship with the current superintendent Mark Johnson, who served as Nooksack Valley SD superintendent for 28 years.

Johnson believes Galley will lead the district well. “Matt has been successful at everything he’s done,” he says. “He was an outstanding teacher and coach, an excellent assistant principal and principal. A good indicator of future success is a past full of success.”

Will Nelson has been named as the superintendent of La Conner SD. Nelson previously served as the Director of Equity and Student Success in the Arlington SD. Nelson is scheduled to begin on July 1.

Nelson will replace Superintendent Rich Stewart, who was hired last year to serve on an interim basis.

Ed Murray has been named the new superintendent of the Lopez Island School District effective July 1, 2021. Murray has served Laurens County School District #55 in Laurens, SC for the past five years as the Chief of Staff and Director of Personalized Learning and Public Relations. He is working toward an educational doctorate (Ed.D.) in Education Systems Improvement Science at Clemson University, which he expects to complete in the summer or fall of 2022.

“We are excited about this opportunity to be a part of the Lopez Island community,” said Murray. “We look forward to building relationships and making new friends as we work together to make Lopez Island School District a model of success on every level.”

Ed Murray Lopez Island SD