The Port Townsend School District will introduce candidates for a new principal for Blue Heron Middle School next week.

Current Blue Heron and OCEAN Principal Theresa Campbell announced her departure from the school district earlier this month. After three years in the role, Campbell will be taking a position with the Everett School District in the coming school year.

In the search for a new principal, a hiring committee will be made up of staff members, administrators, families, students, and community members.

The district hopes to hire a new principal by early July, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

There will also be a virtual meet-and-greet with the top principal candidates at 5 p.m. Monday, June 28.

With the transition in leadership, the school board decided to create a new half-time district administrative position. The role will be responsible for the oversight of ALE programs in the district and will serve as the OCEAN principal.

Sarah Rubenstein, the district’s current communications director and Maritime Discovery Schools project director, has accepted the job as half-time OCEAN principal and ALE director.

Next year, Rubenstein will also take on another half-time role as the Place Based Learning Director, in which she will continue the work of the Maritime Discovery Schools vision of the school district.

“I am excited for the opportunity to lead the OCEAN School and help further the vision for alternative learning in the Port Townsend School District. In my combined roles I will be able to support place-based learning across the entire district, and the place-based and experiential learning emphasis of OCEAN,” said Rubenstein in a press release.

Incoming Superintendent Linda Rosenbury facilitated a forum June 16 to allow the community to understand the new role of OCEAN principal, to meet Rubenstein, and to get community feedback.

“Sarah will be great. We already collaborate through district professional learning. She has always been super positive and supportive of OCEAN,” said long-time OCEAN teacher Daniel Molotsky.