Everything we know about Ben Shuldiner, the lone finalist for Seattle Public Schools superintendent

After a monthslong search, the Seattle Public Schools district finally has a new superintendent. 

The Seattle School Board voted to name Ben Shuldiner as the lone finalist for the role. Shuldiner is currently the superintendent of the Lansing School District in Michigan. 

He’ll be the fourth superintendent in the last decade. 

Back in March, former superintendent Brent Jones announced he was planning to step down from the position … and would have left in September. Instead, he went on medical leave in May and since then the role has been filled by an interim superintendent.  

Shuldiner's appointment comes during a period of turmoil for the district, which has been facing a budget shortfall and grappling with issues around school safety. KUOW's Sami West tells us about her takeaways from her conversation with him this week.

Guest:

• Sami West, KUOW reporter who has been following the ongoing search for a new superintendent at Seattle Public Schools. 

Related Stories:

• KUOW - Seattle School Board names lone superintendent finalist, a district leader recruited from Michigan
• KUOW - Seattle School Board moves 2 unnamed finalists forward in superintendent search
• KUOW - Seattle Public Schools to hunt for new leader as Superintendent Jones steps down

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.