Dear Wade King Elementary School families,

I have some news to share about leadership at Wade King. Joseph Doucette is stepping away from his position as principal at Wade King, and Courtney Ross-Webb will be leading Wade King as the interim principal for 2023-24 school year. Mr. Doucette will continue serving students within Bellingham Public Schools and his next steps are yet to be determined.

Mr. Doucette asked me to share with you that after much thought, he has requested a different leadership assignment within our school district. He thanks you for the opportunity to serve Wade King as principal for the past year. He deeply appreciates the relationships he has made and will think back fondly on his time at this amazing school. He wishes all staff, families and students the best for the school year ahead. Please join me in thanking Mr. Doucette for his time at Wade King.

I recognize that the timing of this leadership announcement is unusual, which is why I am emailing you this evening.

Courtney Ross-Webb has served as Director of Teaching and Learning for Special Education in our district since 2021. Prior to joining Bellingham Public Schools, Ms. Ross-Webb was principal of Fisher Elementary School in Lynden for eight years, served as principal and assistant principal of a middle school in North Clackamas School District and taught at the American School foundation in Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico and in Beaverton in Oregon. Ms. Ross-Webb earned her master’s degree in teaching from Pacific University in Oregon and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Portland State University.

Ms. Ross-Webb is a strong instructional leader who brings incredible experience and expertise from her 20+ years in education. She brings a creative and collaborative skillset to ensure students with unique needs are always engaged in meaningful learning opportunities and equitably represented in our schools and community. Ms. Ross-Webb is focused on inclusionary practices and taking down barriers for students and has worked closely with many Wade King teachers supporting Wade King’s focus on inclusionary practices for students receiving Special Education services.

Ms. Ross-Webb and Mr. Doucette look forward to partnering to make this a successful transition for the Wolfpack. If you have any questions, let me know, and please join me in wishing Mr. Doucette well on his next steps and welcoming Ms. Ross-Webb to Wade King.

Greg Baker