In a shocking turn of events July 26, Tacoma School Board’s Deputy Superintendent Ethelda Burke resigned after 33 years with the district, just prior to the board selection of Arthur Jarvis as the interim superintendent.

In a letter hastily read at the board meeting, Burke, who was one of the four candidates the board was considering for the interim position, said her decision to resign came after a “two hour private meeting” that School Board President Connie Rickman had with school board members Kim Golding and Debbie Winskill, and a statement personally made to her by Rickman regarding an “informal vote” the board took on the afternoon of July 25 - the day the board conducted interviews of the interim superintendent candidates. 

“Those board actions constructively end my 33- year career as an educator - ended against my will,” Burke said in her letter, which she provided a copy of to the Tacoma Weekly, but she declined to comment on the matter further. “Therefore, I have no choice but to leave my position as deputy superintendent for Tacoma Public Schools.”

During the board meeting, Burke said she will be submitting a formal letter of resignation with the date of her departure at a later date.  She also thanked the Tacoma Public Schools staff and the community for supporting her throughout her career and as she pursued the interim superintendent position.

After Burke finished reading her letter of intent to resign, approximately 20 community members stood up in support of her. Rickman, who looked shocked, said she was confused by portions of Burke’s statement and would like to discuss it with her in a personal meeting.

Jarvis was approved as the interim superintendent of Tacoma School District with a 4-1 vote. School board member Kurt Miller voted against Jarvis, as he said he felt Burke was the better candidate. “I really, really felt like Ethelda Burke was the person for this job,” he commented. 

School board member Jim Dugan described the decision as a “very difficult” one, because “all persons that applied were exceptional. Any one of the candidates could have been successful at filling the position and fulfilling the roles and duties” of the interim superintendent. However, based on glowing references Jarvis had, Dugan said he was the superior candidate.

Former City Manager Jim Walton was not pleased with the board’s decision, and he felt the public should have been allowed to comment prior to the board filling what he called the “most important CEO position in this town.” Walton was in favor of Burke taking over the reigns at Tacoma Public Schools.

From his home in Enumclaw, Jarvis said he was honored to be chosen and that the board put their trust in him. “I’m excited about the opportunity,” said Jarvis, who currently works for the Seattle Public Schools as the chief financial officer.

He has over two decades of experience as superintendent with 11 of those years at Enumclaw School District and 11 at South Whidbey School District in Langley, Wash. In 2005, Jarvis was selected as the Washington Superintendent of the Year and was a candidate for the National Superintendent of the Year. “I am ready to help in any way I can,” he noted. “It’s a great district, and I feel like I can help and contribute.”

“Through Arthur Jarvis’ long career in education, he has demonstrated an ability to connect with people, both in the district and in the community, and build trust and respect while developing innovative ways to solve problems,” Rickman stated. “The board looks forward to working with him as interim superintendent and rebuilding the community’s confidence in Tacoma Public Schools.”

If a contract is reached, Jarvis will officially start Aug. 1. However, he said he wants to jump in right away, as there’s “a lot of work to be done,” and he plans to do some work over the weekend of July 28 and 29. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics and social studies; a master’s degree in special learning problems/special education; and a doctorate in educational administration, policy and governance.

The Tacoma School Board granted a continuous to its July 26 meeting to 9 a.m. July 30 on the seventh floor of the Central Administration Building, 601 S. Eighth St., to approve the contract for the interim superintendent, who will earn an annual salary of $185,000.

The contract negotiations will be led by the school district’s attorney Susan Schreurs with assistance from Winskill.

Check www.tacomaweekly.com for updated information regarding the district’s new superintendent, as well as next week’s edition of the Tacoma Weekly Aug. 2.