Port Townsend School Board appoints new director

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John Nowak has been elected by the Post Townsend School District’s board of directors as its newest board member.

Nowak was the director of Care Transformation with Jefferson Healthcare for 45 years before his recent retirement.

He will take over the Director District 1 position, which was previously held by Connie Welch until she announced her decision to step down from the position in May to focus on her personal life.

During its June 16 meeting, the school district’s board of directors interviewed and unanimously approved Nowak for the position.

During his interview, board members asked Nowak 10 varying questions relating to experience, transparency, handling conflict, and other topics related to the school district.

“I’ve been very interested in schools and education all of my life,” Nowak said. “I have strong roots in our community.”

“My mother was actually a school board member, she was one of the first women school board members in Port Townsend and it’s always been a goal of mine to be a school board member,” he added

Following his interview, members of the board held an executive session before deciding to unanimously select him for the seat.

“I’m thrilled to make this motion to nominate the appointment of John Novak, who I’ve known for years, who contacted me at least six or seven years ago with interest of serving on the board,” Board Director Jennifer James-Wilson said.

“I think we’re really fortunate that he’s recently retired and has the capacity and the willingness to do this, and I think he just brings an extraordinary amount of skill and community connection and heart to the position so I couldn’t be happier to make this motion,” she added.

“I think he really wants to do it and has great experience, and very good connections in the public and understands a lot about Port Townsend I think, which is an asset, especially with Connie [Welch] stepping down,” said Board Chair Nathanael O’Hara.

Nowak will continue through Welch’s term, which is set to end in November 2025.