The Board of Education is pleased to announce the selection of Mr. Shawn Arnold as the next Superintendent for the Juneau School District.
“I am honored and excited to be selected as the next Superintendent of the Juneau School District,” Mr. Arnold stated. “Juneau is my home, and I care deeply about this community, our students, and the staff who serve them every day. I look forward to working alongside our staff, families, and community partners to build on the many strengths already present in our schools while continuing to create opportunities for every student to thrive. Together, we will focus on supporting our staff, strengthening relationships, and ensuring that Juneau’s schools remain a source of pride in our community.”
This selection marks the culmination of an extensive search process conducted by the Board with assistance from the national recruiting firm McPherson and Jacobson. Over the past three months, MacPherson and Jacobson gathered substantial input through online surveys, small-group meetings with stakeholders, and larger forums to help define the qualities and characteristics of the next Superintendent that were important to the Juneau community. After a nationwide recruitment effort and the evaluation of numerous qualified candidates, the Board conducted a thorough interview process in early March. We are grateful to the teachers, staff, parents, and community members who attended the candidate forums and provided valuable feedback to assist our decision. The Board would also like to thank the other two highly competent finalists, Dr. Carlee Simon and Mr. Kevin Shipley, for their time and interest in serving our students and community.
Currently serving as Principal of Thunder Mountain Middle School, Mr. Arnold brings recent, direct experience in the district alongside a proven record as a Superintendent in Alaska. He previously served as Principal of Thunder Mountain High School and as Director of Student Services for the Juneau School District. Prior to his arrival in Juneau, Mr. Arnold served as Superintendent of Valdez City Schools as well as Nome Public Schools, where he led district improvement efforts and built strong relationships with staff, families, and the community. Having been a part of JSD since 2021, Mr. Arnold is deeply familiar with the qualities that make our students, teachers, staff, and families special. As a trusted member of our community, he emphasizes a “people first, mission always” approach to leadership and brings operational readiness to the role of superintendent.
Board President Britteny Cioni-Haywood notes, “The Board is excited to welcome Mr. Arnold who will bring an internal understanding of our challenges, along with the ability to build trust and collaboration throughout the District. The Board looks forward to working with Mr. Arnold to serve all students and strengthen the Juneau School District.”