Interim contract: At a June 12 meeting, the Vashon school board unanimously approved a contract to employ Josephine (Jo) Moccia as the school district’s interim superintendent.
Moccia will fill the role as the board conducts a search to fill the permanent role left vacant by the resignation of Slade McSheehy, who has been named to helm the Bremerton School District. The Vashon school board expects to hire a permanent superintendent in spring 2026.
According to the contract, Moccia, who after 14 years as superintendent of the Whidbey Island School District announced her retirement from that role effective this summer, will serve in the interim role on Vashon from July 1 to June 30, 2026.
Moccia will be compensated with a salary of $204,750 in this year, based on a 195-day work schedule. In the event that she must work additional days, she will be compensated at the rate of $1,050 per day. She will also receive an amount equal to the state allocation for health insurance, which may be applied to any of the district-approved medical, dental and vision insurance programs.
The contract allows Moccia, during non-contractual time, to engage in other consultative work, speaking engagements, writing, lecturing and other professional endeavors that do not conflict with her duties as interim superintendent.
Read The Beachcomber’s broader coverage (June 12) of Moccia’s appointment as interim superintendent at tinyurl.com/w72epvaw.
Tidal restrictions: Trucks with a ground clearance of less than 14 inches should not travel on Washington State Ferries’ Point Defiance/Tahlequah routes during the following dates and times:
• Sunday, June 22: 8:04 to 9:58 a.m. (-1.9 feet)
• Monday, June 23: 8:18 to 11:19 a.m. (-3.0 feet)
• Tuesday, June 24: 8:51 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. (-3.7 feet)
• Wednesday, June 25: 9:34 a.m. to 1:11 p.m. (-3.9 feet)
• Thursday, June 26: 10:25 a.m. to 1:53 p.m. (-3.7 feet)
• Friday, June 27: 11:22 a.m. to 2:27 p.m. (-3.2 feet)
• Saturday, June 28: 12:29 to 2:49 p.m. (-2.3 feet)
Puget Sound pollution: The Washington State Department of Ecology last week shared its draft Puget Sound Nutrient Reduction Plan, which will guide the region as it seeks to address the many human sources of nutrient pollution.
The plan concerns the combined burden of millions of toilets and thousands of acres of lawns and farms, which creates low-oxygen zones that threaten fish and animals. Ecology is accepting public comment on the draft plan through Aug. 27, 2025. Learn more and provide comment, and register for a virtual forum at 1 p.m. on June 24, by visiting tinyurl.com/EcologyPSNutrient.
Old Friends Club: The Vashon Care Network and Vashon Senior Center, in partnership with the Presbyterian Church, are launching the Vashon Island Old Friends Club, a daytime program for adults with dementia or cognitive decline. The program will initially be offered five hours a day, one day/week starting in September. The OFC coordinating team is seeking a program coordinator and assistant to lead the program. If interested in these contractual positions or in volunteering, contact Carol Spangler, carolspangler80@gmail.com.
STEM student: Eban Tracy of Vashon Island High School is among 50 graduating high school seniors in Washington State who was honored on June 6 at the “STEM Signing Day” at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton. The annual celebration, hosted by Boeing in partnership with the Seattle Seahawks and Partnership for Learning, is modeled after college signing days for athletes and recognizes students committed to pursuing post-secondary education and credentials in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM).
