The administration of the North Beach School District was shaken up in March when Superintendent Andrew Kelly was placed on paid leave. The decision to place Kelly on paid leave was made at a Special Meeting of the North Beach School District Board of Directors on March 13.

“Being a school director requires those who serve to struggle with complex issues and difficult choices. At a special board meeting on March 13, 2022, we voted to place Superintendent Andrew Kelly on paid leave so we could take time to carefully review some information brought to our attention,” said North Beach Board of Directors President Jessica Illif in a statement on March 23. “Since that time, new information has come to light. As of March 23, Mr. Kelly’s leave status remains in place, pending the results of an investigation.”

Iliff has not responded to The Daily World’s request for additional information regarding the suspension. The reason for Kelly’s paid leave has not been revealed outside of executive session.

“We respect confidentiality throughout the district and do not comment on personnel issues. We will provide further updates when they are available,” said Illif in a statement.

The board previously voted unanimously to extend Superintendent Andrew Kelly’s contract through June 2025 after his mid-year evaluation at the Jan. 18 board meeting. Kelly received high marks from every board member regarding his responsibilities.

“To work alongside someone who truly believes our students deserve the best is a blessing and an honor. I could not be more excited to navigate the future of our district with my fellow board members and Superintendent Kelly,” said Iliff in a statement about the decision to extend Kelly’s contract.

This school year marks 30 years in public education for Kelly, who joined the North Beach School District in July 2018.

He began his teaching career in Zillah before returning to his hometown as assistant principal of Chehalis Middle School. He then served as the director of the Yelm Community School District. After serving as principal in three different states, he returned to Washington in 2011 to serve as Assistant Superintendent in the Office of Student and School Success. In 2015, he became the Superintendent of Lyle School District where he remained until being offered the position of Superintendent of the North Beach School District.

Kelly’s suspension comes on the heels of the District’s failure to pass a 25-year, $110 million bond measure in the Feb. 8 Special Election. The bond was intended to fund the rebuilding of Pacific Beach Elementary, one of the least seismically safe schools in the state, as well as improvements and tsunami refuges at North Beach Middle/High School and Ocean Shores Elementary. After 3,559 votes, the measure failed with 58.27 percent opposed and 41.73 percent in favor. Kelly had previously planned to revise the proposition and reintroduce it to the community in April.

Angela Lyte Crowther will serve as Acting Superintendent while Kelly’s leave continues. Lyte Crowther was appointed to the role by the North Beach School District Board of Directors in a meeting on March 15. The meeting was attended by over 100 community members between Zoom and in-person attendees.

For the 2021-22 school year, Lyte Crowther was the Assistant Superintendent and District Lead in absence of the superintendent or in emergency situations. She was also responsible for Special Education oversight, Paraeducator Certification Program Coordinator, and team leader for building-based teacher leaders. She has over 21 years of public school education experience.

Lyte Crowther declined to comment on her appointment while in the role of Acting Superintendent.

The next regular meeting of the North Beach School District Board of Directors is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, at Ocean Shores Elementary.