CKSD’s new superintendent chosen

Col. Gregory Lynch, a 27-year Army veteran, was selected as the Central Kitsap School District’s next superintendent. The school board is expected to confirm Lynch’s selection during its regular meeting at 7 p.m. April 28 at Clear Creek Elementary School.

“Greg Lynch has significant experience in the management of large organizations as well as supervising a complex educational program. We believe his exceptional leadership ability will ensure that Central Kitsap continues to provide an outstanding educational opportunity for our community’s children,” said Chris Stokke, CKSD board president.

Lynch is dean of academics and second in command at the Army’s Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He will retire from the Army and begin his superintendency by July 1. His annual salary with the school district is $132,000. Retiring superintendent Cathy Davidson made $116,000.

“I am deeply honored that the board of directors has selected me to serve as the district’s next superintendent,” Lynch said. “I believe there isn’t anything more important than our children’s education. A successful educational program is only possible through the mutual support, respect, and trust between our schools, the home and the community.

“I plan to build on the strong relationships that already exist between our schools, staff, parents, students, and community. Together, we will look for innovative ways to enhance learning, continuously explore new ideas and embrace meaningful change in our educational system,” he said.

Lynch was born and raised in Reading, Pa. He is a 1977 graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia, where he earned a bachelors of science degree in early childhood education and human behavior and development. In 1977 he also was designated as a Distinguished Military Graduate and commissioned in the United States Army.

He also has a masters degree in management from Webster University in St. Louis. He is a 1998 graduate of the Army’s Senior Service College in Carlisle, Pa., where he studied leadership, resource management, strategic planning and national security. He has taken graduate courses in education administration at Benedictine College, Atchison, Kan., and has plans to complete a masters degree in education administration.

As the dean of academics at the Army’s Command and General Staff College, Lynch is responsible for curriculum development and the assessment, instruction, and integration of the curriculum between five schools and three learning centers.

He also supervises the faculty and staff development programs for more than 1,100 military and civilian employees in resident and non-resident programs.

Lynch is unable to attend tonight’s school board meeting, however, he is scheduled to visit the school district May 3-7. He will begin relocating his family here and participate in the hiring the directors for elementary and secondary education. Lynch and his wife Katie have one daughter, Jessie, who will be in the eighth grade next year.

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