Submitted by Bill Evans

Lopez School Superintendent

It is with sadness that I must share with you that Principal Lisa Shelby, our K-12 Principal of Lopez School and Decatur School, has submitted her resignation, effective at the end of this school year. She has made the very difficult decision to leave this school that she has served so well, to accept an educational opportunity in Alaska. She will finish the current school year and work through the end of June.

Ms. Shelby has not made this decision lightly and, while excited for new adventures, leaves Lopez Island School District with reluctance and characteristic concern for the many young people she has come to care for so deeply. The opportunity to have more quality time with her family, work in a more supportive educational position, and return to Alaska where she and her family have relationships, roots and property, led Ms. Shelby to this decision when presented with an unexpected opportunity. She is looking forward to returning to a better, more healthy balance between her family and her educational roles.

The District is deeply appreciative of the selfless service she extended to the young people, staff, and communities of these islands. Her work has been exemplary and she has touched many lives. Under her leadership the District has made significant gains educationally, including a new elementary focus, positive growth in K-12 curriculum, the hiring of new and effective faculty when the opportunity presented itself, and award-winning overall educational growth.

The District will be considering carefully the process of trying to fill the many roles fulfilled so capably by Ms. Shelby. In the days to come, we will determine the best course of action that will continue the work toward quality of instruction and student learning that have been the hallmark of Ms. Shelby’s time at Lopez. We will keep the community informed as we move forward in this transition.

We wish her, and Rob and Tristan, well in their new adventures.

Thank you for your support of Ms. Shelby, her family, our students, and our Lopez School District in this time of transition.