John P. Welch, Superintendent

John P. Welch was appointed Superintendent – Elect of the Puget Sound Educational Service District in September 2011 and transitioned to Superintendent in July 2012. As the agency’s chief executive officer, Mr. Welch leads a public education agency serving nearly 400,000 public and private students in preschool and grades K-12 in 35 districts across the greater Seattle-Tacoma region of Washington State. The agency provides technical assistance, oversight, and support to educational communities through a wide variety of programs and services.

During this time, the Puget Sound ESD was selected to lead the development of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) business plan through a partnership with business, higher education, community based organizations and seven area school districts. In addition, the agency is the lead sponsor and partner of the Road Map Project, a regional initiative aimed at doubling the number of students graduating from college with a degree or career credential by 2020. The efforts positioned the South King County region, with the Puget Sound ESD serving as the lead agency, to successfully earn a $40 million Race to the Top District grant from the federal Department of Education.

From July 2005 to August 2011, Mr. Welch served as the Superintendent of the 18,000 student Highline Public Schools since July 2005. Under his innovative leadership, Highline opened Aviation High School, a regional school where students study all subjects in the context of aviation, emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning; and the Big Picture School, a unique and highly personalized high school preparing all students for higher education through a blend of in-school study and out-of-school experiences such as internships. Among his other accomplishments at Highline are implementation of a new accountability system and the creation of system-wide performance measures.

Previous positions include Highline’s Deputy Superintendent, Vice President for Administrative Services at South Seattle Community College, and Chief Financial Officer for Federal Way Public Schools.

In 2007, the Washington Association of School Administrators named Mr. Welch Most Effective Administrator in the state.  He has also been recognized with the Upward Bound Ida B. Wells Award from South Seattle Community College, Puget Sound ESD Student Achievement Leadership Award, and several Meritorious Budget Awards from the Association of School Business Officials.

Mr. Welch holds an MBA – Management from Pacific Lutheran University and a BA – Business Administration, Finance & Economics from Eastern Washington University. He also attended the Board Urban Superintendent’s Academy in 2002 and has taken executive development courses at Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of Denver. His professional and civic affiliations include the Educational Resource Development Institute, United Way of King County, American Association of School Administrators, Washington Association of School Administrators, and Highline Citizens for Schools.