JOYCE — Longtime Crescent School District educator David Bingham has been selected to lead the school district.
Bingham, 55, will officially start as the district’s superintendent and principal July 1, replacing Clayton Mork, who is retiring June 30.
Bingham’s starting salary of $105,000 is subject to School Board approval. Mork’s salary was $110,000.
The board will consider approval of a three-year contract next Thursday when it meets at 7 p.m. in the library at the school at 50350 state Highway 112.
Bingham started work at the Joyce school district in 1984 as a para-educator.
The following year, he was hired as a high school social studies teacher.
He served as the high school boys basketball and track coach for several years and has been the district’s athletic director since 2004.
“This place grows on you,” Bingham said.
“Now I’m at a position where I’m having children of my earliest students coming through. You just get connected to the families.”
He said his experience through the years at Crescent has given him insight to the community and a greater understanding of small schools.
The candidate pool included Bingham and 12 other applicants from around the country, including one candidate from outside the United States.
School Board President Trisha Haggerty said the search wasn’t just a formality and that Bingham truly was the top candidate for the position.
“They were all strong candidates, but Dave clearly rose to the top with his experience at Crescent School and his relationship with the community already,” Haggerty said.
“He just did a really good job with his interview.”
Crescent School District has about 300 students, including the about 100 students in the Olympic Peninsula HomeConnection alternative school.
“He’s just been a great supporter of the community and for Crescent Schools,” Haggerty said.
“He really has the respect and support from the community, staff and teachers.”
Although Bingham does not officially take his new position until July 1, he is already working to fill a high school math opening, advertising and recruiting for a half-time associate principal/athletic and activities director to fill the position he currently holds.
The district is also recruiting for a special education teacher, part-time school librarian and school counselor.
________
Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
