Community members and staff are invited to celebrate Superintendent Dale Kinsley's 16 years of service to the Bellingham School District during an open house reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 8 at the Squalicum Boathouse, 2600 Harbor Loop at Zuanich Point Park. The event is open to the public.
Dr. Kinsley came to the district as superintendent in 1991 after serving for 10 years as superintendent of the Santa Cruz City School District in California. Prior, he held positions at the University of California at Santa Cruz, at the Agency for International Development and as a classroom teacher. He began his career as a Peace Corps teacher in Morocco in 1964. He received his bachelor's degree from Princeton University and his doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts. He also did graduate work at The American University in Washington, D. C.
Since arriving in Bellingham, Kinsley has guided and led the schools through a variety of changes based on growth in the student population and expectations for higher academic achievement for all students.
In 1991, the Bellingham Public Schools had approximately 9,000 students. Today, the district serves nearly 11,000 students with higher percentages of students from low-income families and students with limited English-speaking abilities. The district currently employs approximately 1,300 people.
Perhaps most important in Kinsley's leadership of the district has been the transformation of the learning expectations and standards for students and the changes in curriculum and instruction across the system. Under Kinsley's leadership, the district has steadily improved student achievement results, preparing thousands of students to enter colleges and universities across the country as well as technical programs and community colleges. Most recently, Bellingham became a state leader in adopting new graduation requirements to phase in over the next several years to support students in meeting eligibility requirements for colleges and career.
Teaching and learning within the Bellingham Public Schools has been defined and improved with systems of support, assessment and evaluation. During the past eight years, the district has received more than $8 million in grants and awards from foundations and higher education to create model programs systemwide for raising expectations and standards for students, for supporting powerful teaching practices, and for creating success for all students. Bellingham is recognized as a "lighthouse district" for professional practice across Washington State and nationally. Kinsley has emphasized the importance of creating a "community of learners" for both adults and students in the schools. Community partnerships with families, colleges, social service providers and businesses have been created to support student learning and success in Bellingham.
Since Kinsley's arrival, the district has successfully passed bond issues for more than $130 million to provide more classroom spaces and schools that are more modern and well maintained. Four new schools have been built (Kulshan, Options, Squalicum, and Northern Heights) with two new elementary schools currently being planned. Three schools have been totally renovated (Silver Beach, Fairhaven, Bellingham) with complete modernization for Shuksan currently being planned. Other schools have had major additions and renovations including Geneva, Whatcom, Roosevelt, Parkview, Birchwood and Sehome. Five buildings are slated for seismic retrofitting in the next few years and property options are being explored in Sudden Valley for a future elementary school.
During his tenure, Kinsley created and implemented a plan to move the district from two to three comprehensive high schools and to provide smaller alternative schools for some students. In addition, he guided the district in planning and implementing a plan to transform the use of technology throughout the system, overseeing the installation of a district network that provides Internet access to staff and students with about 4,000 computers serving classroom learning and administrative functions. Use of this technology as an integral part of the learning for each student has been recognized throughout the state and in national publications.
Kinsley has been deeply involved in community activities and service as well as professional activities. He has served on the Board of United Way of Whatcom County and was Campaign Chairperson in 1999. He has been active on many community Boards including, Jr. Achievement, Northwest Workforce Development Council, City Club, Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities, Economic Development Council and the Bellingham Public School Foundation. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Bellingham. In 2001, Kinsley was recognized as the Superintendent of the Year for Washington State. He has also served as chair and board member for the National Center for Learning and Citizenship in Denver, and has been a member of the Board of the Washington Association of School Administrators.
Kinsley plans to pursue personal and professional interests after retiring, effective June 30.
For high-resolution photos of Dr. Kinsley, click here...
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