Dr. Dolores Gibbons

Northshore Superintendent Karen Forys has been battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for the past two years. Though she has continued to serve in her position throughout the course of her cancer treatment, she is currently taking a medical leave. To provide support to Dr. Forys during this time, the Northshore School Board has hired Dr. Dolores Gibbons in the position of special assistant to the superintendent. Dr. Gibbons, who retired as superintendent of the Renton School District in June 2006, was recommended for her experience, interpersonal skills, ethics, judgment and knowledge of school district issues.

“This is the type of challenge I enjoy,” says Gibbons, “and it’s a great opportunity to help a good friend and make a difference for the benefit of the Northshore community. Northshore is a fine district that is highly organized and very stable. There’s a strong team in place here and I look forward to working with them.”

Gibbons has been in education for 40 years and prior to her tenure as superintendent of the Renton School District, she served as superintendent for the Mt. Vernon School District. As superintendent for these districts, she helped raise student achievement, built highly skilled collegiate teams and was successful in the area of school board development.

In describing her style of leadership, Dr. Gibbons says, “I have an open door policy and encourage communication. I look for win-win solutions and I don’t shy away from making tough decisions. I also give credit to those who do the real work.”

As special assistant to Dr. Forys, Gibbons will report both to the superintendent and to the board. Her responsibility is to assist Dr. Forys, the board and the district as needed. “It’s a unique contract,” she adds, “and a bit of a complicated situation. I will make decisions in concurrence with the board, but I also have the legal authority to make decisions in Karen’s absence.”

Dr. Gibbons expects to encounter challenges in her role as she knows that Northshore is a large, complex district with many of the same issues that she has faced previously. “There are going to be budget challenges because finances are always difficult,” she admits. “Then there are going to be academic challenges with regards to maintaining high standards, achieving adequate yearly progress and the “No Child Left Behind” legislation. And with 20,000 students and 40,000 parents, there are always going to be other challenges on a daily basis. But I am excited about the opportunity to be here and to help out during this time.”

Dr. Gibbons will serve as special assistant to the superintendent until Dr. Forys returns to work full time or until either the school board or she believes her services are no longer needed.