Board Approves Interim Superintendent Contract for Dr. Brent Jones

At the February 24, 2021 regular school board meeting, the interim superintendent contract for Dr. Brent Jones was approved (Board Action Report “Hiring of Dr. Brent Jones as Interim Superintendent and approval of Interim Superintendent’s Employment Agreement”).

Dr. Brent C. Jones’ official start date is no later than July 1, 2021 with an end date of June 30, 2022.

“This is a great outcome for SPS students and families. Dr. Jones’ selection as the Interim Superintendent brings needed stability and connectivity to Seattle Public Schools during this time of uncertainty and transition. He is an experienced District leader with a proven track record supporting students, community, and Staff of Color while striving for overall operational excellence. It is a most critical set of skills at this difficult time,” said Board President Chandra Hampson.

Dr. Jones is returning to Seattle Public Schools. Jones is the former Seattle Public Schools chief equity, partnerships, and engagement officer and assistant superintendent of Human Resources. Under his leadership, Seattle Public Schools implemented a district-wide racial equity strategy, leveraged public-private partnerships to accelerate student growth, embedded racial equity provisions into the SEA/SPS collective bargaining agreements, established the Civil Rights Compliance Office, and led innovative talent development and recruitment programs focused on workforce diversity and employee engagement.

Jones is currently the assistant general manager of strategy and partnerships at King County Metro transit where he leads policy development and strategy initiatives that drive the agency’s social justice and pro-equity agendas. “I want to thank the Seattle School Board for this opportunity to serve in this capacity. I look forward to working in deep partnership with families and staff to create the conditions for students to thrive – no matter the circumstances,” responded Dr. Brent Jones.

“This past year has been difficult for students and families. Tough decisions and challenges continue to face the district. I look forward to working closely with the School Board and staff to implement a clear, student-focused vision for this next school year. We have an opportunity to reimagine education so that we return stronger and more student centered than we were before the pandemic. Our students deserve a future of excellence,” said Dr. Brent Jones.

Dr. Brent Jones is a multi-generational resident of Seattle and proud graduate of Franklin High School. He received a B.A. in zoology from the University of Washington, M.Ed. in adult learning and human resource development, and Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of Texas-Austin.

Background Information

On January 21, 2021, the School Board voted to hire an interim superintendent to succeed Superintendent Juneau, with a start date of no later than July 1, 2021. The board-approved approach will allow time to conduct a formal, comprehensive search for a permanent superintendent. A formal search will be conducted starting no later than Fall 2021, continuing through winter and Spring 2022, leading to selection of a permanent superintendent by April or May 2022. The board will consider and vote on a search process for the permanent superintendent that includes considerable community engagement.