CHIMACUM — When school starts Sept. 3, students of the Chimacum School District will find a reconfigured administrative team that includes an interim superintendent and new leadership for the elementary and middle schools.

“We’ve been planning this for a while,” said Chimacum High School Principal Whitney Meissner, who for the past 10 years also fulfilled the middle school duties.

The new team is now getting acquainted and planning strategies for the next school year.

Rich Stewart, 65, was selected as interim superintendent to replace Craig Downs, who resigned in June to work at a faith-based school in Arizona.

Stewart, who was most recently superintendent of the Eatonville School District in Pierce County, retired from that position but decided he wanted to explore other opportunities.

Stewart is earning an annual salary of $74,50.

He will work on a 108-day contract that is just under half of a full contract, which is generally 220 days.

He will not receive vacation or health benefits.

Stewart said he won’t have his eye on the clock and will donate some of his time.

“I will be here for the time it takes to get the job done,” he said.

“I don’t have a set pattern or schedule, but I will do the best job I can.”

Stuart Prince, 51, the new middle school principal, last worked at the Federal Way School District and will take over from Meissner for grades 6-8, a move that lessens her workload.

He is earning $89,000 a year.

At the elementary school, Cassandra “Sam” Rosenbloom similarly will relieve Mark Barga, who will continue as principal of the primary school.

Rosenbloom, who was last at the South Kitsap School District, will earn $87,000 a year.

Recruiting a dedicated administrator for each school will increase the attention a principal can offer teachers, and that makes the instruction more effective, Meissner said.

The attention needed for teachers has increased, Stewart said.

“When I was a principal, I needed to spend about five hours a year with each teacher for their evaluations,” Stewart said.

“Now, that has increased to 40 hours, so splitting this up gives the principals more time with the teachers, which makes a real difference in the quality of education offered to the students.”

The Chimacum School District had 1,008 students enrolled the past school year and is unique because instruction occurs within a small geographical area.

The elementary, middle and high schools are located on a single campus at 91 West Valley Road, while the primary school is a mile and a half away at 313 Ness’ Corner Road.

This proximity is an advantage in providing a good education, Meissner said.

“We offer programs from birth to age 21 and can have the kids here the whole time,” she said, referring to preschool and vocational programs that fall outside the regular school career parameters.

“One of the nice things is that we can develop close relationships with the kids, and the older kids can mentor the younger kids.

“Another advantage is how the kids in the high school who want to get work experience with the younger kids don’t have to travel, which adds cost and liability to the district.”

A small district is under increased pressure to succeed, Meissner said.

“We have to be responsible and transparent, and there is no other place down the road where parents can send their kids if it doesn’t work out,” she said.

“If there is a problem, we have to make it work.”

“Having all of the schools close together allows the parents to be more involved,” said Rosenbloom, whose four children attended the less centralized South Kitsap School District.

“In some schools, parents need to attend different events in different schools at the same time, which is always a challenge.”

The close proximity also allows increased efficiency and communication on the administrative level.

“My chance of success will be enhanced by my ability to walk over to Whitney’s office and say: ‘You had this job for 10 years. How did you do this?’” Prince said.

Added Meissner: “You can get a lot more done if you can talk to someone face-to-face.”

With all this togetherness, there will still be some separation.

“We want to help the middle school develop its own culture,” Prince said.

“It’s been grappling to find its own identity, and we want to make that happen.”

Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.