Dr. John A. Polm, Jr., current superintendent of the Port Townsend School District, has been selected to become superintendent of the Puyallup School District, effective July 1, 2020.
A formal announcement of the superintendent selection was made by the Puyallup School Board during an open public meeting on Friday, January 31 at 9 a.m. at the Education Service Center.
The Puyallup School Board voted 4-1 to offer Dr. Polm the school district’s chief job, pending successful negotiation of a contract and completion of a background check. A contract is expected to be presented at the Puyallup School Board regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, February 3 at 6 p.m. at Ballou Junior High, 9916 136th St E, Puyallup.
“In Dr. Polm we felt that he was quietly strong,” shared School Board President Kathy Yang. “In the interview we really had the opportunity to dig in deep with tough questions and found him to be calming, honest, and sincere. We see someone who will unite this district and work collaboratively with a passionate educational community to support our students. We believe Dr. Polm will continue the good work of the district to help each student to learn, grow, and thrive.”
Polm was selected following a national search that resulted in 13 applicants. Of those, six were called for preliminary interviews before the board and the general public. The board then selected three finalists, who each spent a day in the district January 28, 29, and 30 for meetings with employees, community members, and students.
The board received more than 200 pages of written comments about the candidates submitted by students, staff, and community members during a series of public forums and interview sessions.
Polm has been Superintendent of the Port Townsend School District since 2016. Prior to that he worked as a Principal at Bremerton High School for six years and served as director of curriculum and assessment, principal, and assistant principal in Chewelah, Washington for 16 years.
He began his career in education as a music and mathematics teacher in grades 5-12. He also taught high school leadership and choir and spent two years as an adjunct instructor at Antioch University in Seattle.
Dr. Polm has earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound, a master’s degree from Eastern Washington University, and a doctorate in education from Seattle Pacific University.
He has been married for 35 years and has three grown children.