Carrie Ehrhardt is marking the end of 23 years as principal of Port Townsend High School, but she’s not bidding farewell to the Port Townsend School District, since she’s moving across the street to serve as the district’s executive director of human resources.

Ehrhardt’s educational odyssey began with her stint in the Orondo School District, from 1990 to 2001, which saw her proceed from teaching fifth grade for four years, to serving as an administrative assistant for two years, to multitasking as a program director, grant writer, district administrator and principal of kindergarten through seventh grade for five years, until she became principal of PTHS.

Ehrhardt pointed out the irony to The Leader, that she began working toward her superintendent qualifications in Orondo, and moved to Port Townsend to strengthen that bid by broadening her educational experience. She changed her mind after successfully completing her certification.

“I initially expected to do a few years here and move on, but like so many folks, I fell in love with this school and community.”

Ehrhardt cited the school and community’s friendly, welcoming atmosphere, complete with mentors such as former superintendent Dr. David Engle, who retired in 2016. She called him a “game-changer” in the school system. He also encouraged her to embrace new educational concepts and models.

Ehrhardt also cited the guidance of Laurie McGinnis, the outgoing director of payroll and HR for the Port Townsend School District, who is also retiring this fall. Ehrhardt hastened to add that no one could really replace McGinnis.

Over her nearly quarter-century as principal, Ehrhardt has taken pride in presiding over partnerships between the school and surrounding community, as well as the school’s development and expansion of its Advanced Placement and “College in High School” courses, its extracurricular activities, and its since-accredited Career and Technical Education program.

“Our athletics are in line with a 2A school,” Ehrhardt said. “We have a CAD lab, a culinary truck that partners with Jefferson Healthcare to serve healthy food, and a Maritime Academy in partnership with the Northwest Maritime Center. It was all built up over several years, one piece of equipment at a time.”

While Ehrhardt looks forward to “reimagining” the district’s HR, she reiterated that she’s building on the solid foundation laid by McGinnis.

“I’ve spent my entire career teaching, so I’m excited to learn a new skill-set,” Ehrhardt said. “I know I’ll have to work hard to prove I’m worthy, because I’ve got lots to learn.”

PRAISED BY PEERS

Maggie Emery, a senior in the PTHS Class of 2024 who served as the Associated Student Body president and school board student representative, credited Ehrhardt with putting “immense time and effort” into her role as principal.

“She always went above and beyond, spending time in and out of school, ensuring that each student felt like they belonged and were supported,” Emery said. “I know she will be missed by all at the high school.”

PTHS English teacher Virginia Grace deemed Ehrhardt “the most empowering principal I’ve ever had.” Grace said “every time I had a new idea for a unit I thought students would enjoy, she supported me in making it happen.”

PTHS Building Secretary Lisa Anderson said she considers Ehrhardt “an incredible boss and friend.” The principal “takes exceptional care of her staff, is an outstanding leader and has been very supportive of me throughout my time with the high school.”

Anderson considers it “great news” that Ehrhardt will stay on with the Port Townsend School District, since she’s “a wealth of knowledge” and “truly irreplaceable.”

Mark Harris, who has served as Ehrhardt’s assistant principal, said he has found her to be “a gifted building principal, who can strike a balance with every decision she weighs in on.” He called her a person of “integrity, work ethic and diligence, to the benefit of all stakeholders.”

According to Harris, Ehrhardt “sees, hears and understands teachers, students, parents and community perspectives,” while also repeatedly demonstrating “the ability to professionally strive forward, and support others doing the same.”

Harris said he believes Ehrhardt’s next move within the school district will be “a superb direction.”

PTHS science and math teacher Jeff Taylor, a former Port Townsend school board member, credited Ehrhardt with “always being attentive to the questions and interests of the board, and ready to offer explanations, or to find out the information, if we asked.”

Taylor said he realized why the rest of the faculty respected her so much after he transitioned to being a teacher at the school. “Carrie was always extremely supportive of my needs, to help me integrate into the school.” She always seemed “one step ahead” of issues as they arose, he added.

“Carrie will make an excellent HR director, and while we will miss her at the high school, we appreciate that she will still be available across the street, to help and listen,” Taylor said.

Tom Gambill, an English Teacher and yearbook advisor for the high school, attested to never once seeing Ehrhardt “lose her cool” in the 21 years they’ve worked together, and of the many people he’s worked for, “Carrie was absolutely the best I’ve had, in large part because her message to us every day was: ‘How can I help you be your best?’ and ‘How can I support you so that you can be a better teacher for students?’”

Gambill likewise recalled that Ehrhardt “always had patience with her staff, and was just as concerned with us, as people who had lives and families, as she was with our work performance.”

Superintendent Dr. Linda Rosenbury touted Ehrhardt’s institutional knowledge, “deep relationships, strong work ethic” and attention to detail as traits that should benefit the Port Townsend School District’s business office.

“As executive director of HR, Carrie will be able to help principals navigate student investigations and personnel matters,” Rosenbury said. “This transition will also allow Carrie to serve as an advisor and resource to our new PTHS principal.”