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New Director of Special Education and Federal Programs to be Appointed
May 01, 2012
Port Angeles, Wash. – Superintendent of Port Angeles Schools Jane Pryne announced Kate Wenzl, former principal of Dry Creek Elementary School, will be joining the Port Angeles School District’s Central Services team as the new director of special education and federal programs pending approval at the May 7 School Board meeting. Patti Dunlap, the current director of special services, is retiring from the position at the end of June.
“Kate has a long history with Port Angeles schools,” said Pryne, “and has served in a wide variety of roles since her hiring in 1997. We hope to capitalize on her leadership experience, her knowledge of and relationships with families, and her special services expertise as she takes on her new role serving students, staff and families district-wide.”
“Kate’s leadership at Dry Creek for the past six years,” added Pryne, “building relationships and nurturing traditions with our community partners, particularly with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, will continue.”
Before leading Dry Creek staff, Wenzl served as assistant principal at the former Roosevelt Middle School. During this period of time, she was an appointee on State Superintendent of Schools Terry Bergeson’s Special Education Advisory Council. Wenzl also served the School District as a Teacher on Special Assignment, providing support for elementary and secondary schools. Prior to completing her Principal’s Internship at Roosevelt Middle School and Franklin Elementary in 2003, she was a special education teacher at Roosevelt, also coaching volleyball and basketball at the school.
Wenzl received her Initial Administrator Principal’s Certification from Washington State University in June 2003. She earned a Master of Education degree, also from Washington State University in 2002, and a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree in 1997 from Eastern Washington University. In addition to her Principal’s Certification, Wenzl has endorsements in K-12 Special Education, K-8 Elementary Education and 4-12 English.
The School Board of Directors will discuss possible plans for the Dry Creek principal during its May 7 executive session prior to the 7:00 regular meeting. No decision has been made on a future replacement for the Dry Creek principal position.
For more information, contact:
Tina Smith-O'Hara
Community Relations Specialist
Port Angeles School District
360.565.3703
tsmithohara@portangelesschools.org