The interim has been made permanent.

The Juneau School District Board of Education voted unanimously to confirm Bridget Weiss as the permanent superintendent rather than expand the search nationwide at a meeting Tuesday. Weiss had been serving as the interim since August.

“I am completely overwhelmed by the amount of support and truly very, very grateful for the opportunity to create what we want here in Juneau and to take what’s going well and push it to the next level and really find creative ways to support kids and families,” Weiss said after the vote.

Members of the public voiced their support for Weiss, a Juneau-Douglas High School alumna, during public comment before the vote. Board member Paul Kelly said the public had definitely spoken in support.

“The support is nearly unanimous,” he said. “I feel that we made the right choice.”

Board President Brian Holst also said the decision came easily after they spoke with the public.

“Seeing Dr. Weiss in action over the last four months, and seeing the incredible support from staff and community, it became really clear that we are blessed to have a really talented person right here in our midst,” he said. “In the end it was a clear and easy decision.”

The next step will be finalizing negotiations with Weiss on her contract, and seeking a replacement for her former position as Director of Student Services. Weiss been in that position since 2014. She replaces departing superintendent Mark Miller. Miller resigned on July 25 after four years in the position, and left to become the superintendent of the Sonora High School District in Sonora, California.

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• Contact reporter Mollie Barnes at 523-2228 or mbarnes@juneauempire.com.

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