2017 Leadership Transition

The Meridian School looks forward to welcoming Meghan Kimpton, current Assistant Head of School, as our new Head of School effective July 1, 2017. Please read our community announcement below.

Letter from Head of School, Jack Shea:

Dear Meridian Families,

I’m writing with hesitation to let you know that I have decided that this will be my last year as Head of The Meridian School. I will continue to work hard through June. I have greatly enjoyed my time here and trust that I have positively contributed to the education of your children. It is time for me to move somewhere a bit more quiet and a little more wild. I will miss your students as they have made the work fun. You, as parents, have been incredibly supportive, as has the Board of Trustees of the school. And finally, I couldn’t ask for a more fine collection of colleagues. This faculty and staff are as hard-working, dedicated, and caring as can be. I feel the school is in great shape, well-led, and will continue to thrive for another 40 years.

With sincere thanks,
Jack

Letter from Chair of the Board of Trustees:

Dear Meridian Community,

Please join the Meridian Board of Trustees in thanking Jack Shea for his outstanding leadership these past four years. Jack’s hard work and strategic guidance will continue to be a positive influence on Meridian for years to come. Highlights of his tenure include: working with the Board of Trustees to develop a bold strategic plan, integrating a customized learning philosophy, encouraging our place-based education focus, comprehensively reviewing the curriculum, establishing an endowment to increase access to Meridian, and hiring many excellent educators and administrators.

The Board of Trustees will miss Jack’s energy, dedication, and creative problem solving. We look forward to working with him through the rest of this school year and to following his adventures in the years ahead.

The Meridian Board of Trustees has been hard at work to secure a successful transition of leadership. It is with great pleasure that we announce the Board has unanimously voted to appoint Meghan Kimpton to be our next Head of School, starting July 1, 2017.

In 2015, Meridian hired Meghan through a national search process to be our Assistant Head. At the time, Meridian was seeking a candidate who had the potential to one day assume the role of Head of School. We were thrilled to find Meghan, an outstanding leader and natural fit for Meridian. This fall, the Board completed a thorough process in considering Meghan for Head of School, including interviewing her, gathering input from references and Meridian staff, reviewing her credentials, and observing her in a variety of leadership situations. After this review, the Board is confident that Meghan has the experience, passion, and leadership skills to lead Meridian toward a bright and balanced future!

An outstanding elementary educator, Meghan has significant experience as a school administrator, teacher, and instructional coach. At Meridian, Meghan has provided great wisdom and guidance in improving our academic program. She offers our children, staff, and community continuity of leadership and vision. In addition to programmatic leadership, Meghan has already taken on responsibilities typically outside the purview of an Assistant Head. She has a keen eye for detail, both in finance and management, is plugged in to Seattle’s larger independent school community, and is eager to assume the other duties of Head of School. Read more about Meghan’s background. 

Beyond these impressive credentials, the Meridian Board of Trustees is honored to welcome Meghan Kimpton as our next Head of School because of her dedication to Meridian’s children, culture, and community. Meghan has already demonstrated that she’s an excellent fit for our school, and we ask that you join us in giving her a warm welcome as our next Head of School.

We are excited to share this news with you prior to the Thanksgiving break. The Board of Trustees will host two community meetings to give you the opportunity to learn more from Meghan about her vision and leadership plans for the school, and to discuss how Jack and Meghan will work together during their transition period. Please join us on Thursday, December 8 at 8:30 a.m. or 6 p.m.

As we enter the holiday season, I am grateful to Meghan, Jack, and all of Meridian’s excellent staff for working tirelessly to make Meridian such a strong, caring, and magical school.

I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Sincerely,

Sandy Aslanian
Chair, Meridian Board of Trustees