Community Education

Peninsula School District shuffles some principals; many parents and staff are not happy

Posted on April 14th, 2025 By: Christina T Henry

Peninsula School District announced “new principal leadership teams” for the 2025-26 school year on Thursday, April 10.

The news release predicted principal transitions across the district will “bring fresh perspectives and opportunities for our school communities. … We deeply value the strong relationships formed between students, families, staff and principals, and look forward to building new connections.”

The news release, sent to families, staff and the media, included a list of all Peninsula schools with their principals and assistant principals for next year. The changes are effective July 1.

Parents not happy

The district issued the news two days before spring break began. Parents and others provided a range of responses on social media.

Many bemoaned the departure of beloved administrators and the difficulty of transitions, especially for students. A few countered that administrative shuffles are common in large organizations and can lead to positive change.

Some people criticized the lack of public input on the change, which seemed to catch many, including some district employees, by surprise.

Districts sometimes involve the community through surveys or focus groups, as Peninsula did with the recent hire of a new high school principal. But they don’t typically involve the public in internal staffing shifts.

This was an administrative decision, not a policy change, which would have been discussed and voted on in public by the school board with opportunity for public comment.

Changes coming next year

Under the district’s plan, nine leadership transitions will take place in the upcoming school year.

Minter Creek, Pioneer and Purdy elementary schools — three out of the district’s 10 elementaries — will have new principals next year.

Goodman Middle School will have a new principal and assistant principal. Principals at Harbor Ridge and Kopachuck middle schools will remain, but with new assistant principals. No change is planned at Key Peninsula Middle School.

At the high school level, Gig Harbor High School will have a new principal, Bob Marshall, who replaces outgoing Principal Michele Suiter. Suiter took early leave from her position this year and an interim principal is filling in for the remainder of the year. Mike Benoit will remain the principal at Peninsula High.

Two assistant principals at each high school will swap places. Mary Kate Grant, currently at Gig Harbor High, will go to Peninsula. Danielle O’Leary, currently at Peninsula, will go to Gig Harbor.

Brian Tovey will remain principal at Henderson Bay High School.

An undercurrent of discontent

Multiple people contacted Gig Harbor Now asking to remain anonymous, including nearly a dozen district employees at Minter Creek. All expressed sadness and outrage at the district’s decision to shift principals, saying they weren’t surveyed or informed that leadership changes at a number of schools were coming.

“We were blindsided. This had zero warning,” wrote one person.

“To say I felt blindsided by this decision would be an understatement,” another said.

An overall theme was that the district’s rationale for undertaking widespread reassignments was unclear.

Almost all spoke about the value of stable, strong leadership at schools in general and Minter Creek specifically.

Planning began in 2022

Superintendent Krestin Bahr and her executive leadership team, in response to questions from Gig Harbor Now, said the broad reassignment is a new strategy for Peninsula schools that has been in the works for several years, not merely a one-time internal shuffle.

“Since 2022, our district has been working intentionally to strengthen leadership capacity through collaboration with Dr. Scott Seaman and staff at Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) and other national partners,” Bahr and her team explained. “Using research-based frameworks like the School Leader Paradigm, we have focused on developing well-rounded leaders equipped to excel in diverse school settings.”

The district said planning for the reassignments was a “coordinated effort” aligned with tenets of the PSD principals’ collective bargaining agreement.

“Building administrators were given an opportunity to provide feedback for their 25-26 placement,” the district explained. “We weighed their feedback alongside the needs of the district to determine their new location. We believe the best way to develop their talents is to provide them with varying experiences under multiple leadership styles. We are impressed by those who show a desire to learn and develop their leadership styles in a variety of different schools, and who have the desire to chase opportunity.”

‘Standard approach’ elsewhere

According to the district’s news release, periodically reassigning principals to different schools is “a standard approach used by educational systems nationwide.”

Among benefits of periodic leadership reassignments touted by the district, fresh perspectives of incoming staff bring “new ideas and approaches to address each school’s unique challenges.” The district notes opportunities for professional growth and “system-wide cohesion” as pluses of a principal shuffle.

The district cites “equitable leadership” as a benefit of principal and assistant principal reassignments. The approach “ensures all schools benefit from our exceptional leadership talent,” the news release states.

The district, in its email to Gig Harbor Now, cited research that it says shows “intentionally developed leadership pipelines have higher stability, stronger professional cultures, and more equitable outcomes for students, especially when systems are aligned across elementary, middle and high school levels.”

“We’re confident that our principals’ wealth of experience and dedication will continue fostering environments where students and staff thrive,” Bahr said in the news release.

Hearing the news

Several district employees who emailed Gig Harbor Now described a meeting at which the Minter Creek staff learned that Principal Todd Hering would become assistant principal at Harbor Ridge Middle School. Employees who emailed Gig Harbor Now described Hering as beloved by all, “an amazing leader” who strongly supports students and staff.

Reportedly some staff cried.

Several said they felt dismissed when they asked a cabinet level administrator why the district was implementing the new practice of periodically reassigning principals. One staff member said they felt “betrayed, disrespected and dehumanized.”

Several noted that the announcement came after the deadline for staff to request transfers for next year.

On the record

One person willing to speak on the record was Minter Creek PTA President Jessica Gamble.

“The kids are devastated,” said Gamble. “Parents are very upset about it. Teachers are very upset about it. Everyone feels very blindsided by the whole situation.”

Gamble, like others, cited the value of stability in school leadership.

“I’m usually a pretty neutral person, again, trying to see both sides, but I just can’t see how this was a good decision, especially without community input,” she said.

That said, Gamble plans to welcome and support incoming principal Abbie Barabe, who is currently assistant principal at Harbor Ridge Middle School.

Principal poaching?

Gamble said families on the Key Peninsula, where Minter Creek is located, tend to feel second class compared to the greater Gig Harbor area, where Goodman is located. Inevitably, some may see Hering’s transfer as poaching.

“My concern is the strategy as a whole,” she said. “Are we going to have to do this every three years? Are we going to lose all our good principals out on the Key Peninsula?”

Gamble has started an online petition to the school district in protest of the principal swap.

The district cites Hering’s transfer as an example of the reassignment strategy’s goals.

“This decision was made with careful consideration of Mr. Hering’s expertise,” Bahr and her team said in their email to Gig Harbor Now. “His extensive experience in trauma-informed practices and student advocacy uniquely positions him to address challenges related to harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) while fostering a supportive environment for middle school students.”

Hering’s move reflects the district’s intent to align leadership roles with the needs of students, staff and families, Bahr’s email said. Upcoming transfers are “not a reflection of performance but rather a recognition of the incredible potential within our team to grow and lead in new ways.”

Principals inform parents

One parent who asked to remain anonymous shared an email from Goodman Middle School Principal Ty Robuck indicating principals had “been asked” to make the moves.

“Earlier this year, the district began a process focused on aligning administrator strengths and passions with opportunities for growth and fresh perspectives across our schools,” Robuck wrote. “As part of that work, both Dawn Musgrove (Goodman assistant principal, moving to Kopachuck Middle School) and I have been asked to support new buildings next year. While it’s never easy to step away from a community we care so deeply about, we believe this change will help us grow as leaders.”

Robuck will be the new principal at Purdy Elementary.

Likewise, Hering’s letter to Minter Creek families worked to strike a positive tone. “I know that transitions can be hard, and emotions can be strong,” Hering wrote. “Quality schools build strong relationships and that is exactly what we have here. Our staff and students and families are amazing, which is what makes this place so special.

“I also know that Minter Creek was great before I came and will be great for a long time to come. And this is because of you, the students and the staff.”

District responds to concerns

“We understand that transitions like these may bring questions or concerns, and we are committed to open communication throughout this process,” Bahr and her team said in their follow-up email. “Please know that these decisions are guided by our shared purpose: ensuring every student feels safe, respected and supported in their learning journey.

“We are deeply committed to our principals and are excited to promote their growth and opportunities. Thank you for your trust and partnership as we continue working together to build a stronger future for all students in the Peninsula School District.”