The Sequim School District announced the hiring of two new administrators and the promotion of another last week as it prepares for the 2021-2022 school year.

Erin Fox, a Sequim native, has been named Sequim High School’s assistant principal after working the past six years as a counselor at SHS.

“Erin believes in nurturing a positive school climate based upon being safe, respectful, and responsible so all students will experience success and have positive relationships with adults at their school,” the district noted in a June 2 press release.

Fox succeeds Kristi Queen, who left SHS to take the lead administrator role at Helen Haller Elementary School.

Joining Queen at Helen Haller is Sarah Decker, the school’s new assistant principal. Decker comes to the Sequim School District after working in various roles for the Quillayute Valley School District since 2004. Decker started in food services and before moving to custodial work and clerical positions and then worked as a classroom teacher. Decker has been a leader in the New Teacher Induction Program as well as the PBIS team and more at Quillayute Valley.

“Sarah’s coaching style of leadership paired with her extensive experience will be a wonderful asset to the Haller team,” the district stated in its press release.

The district also added Merrin Packer to fill the position of Equity and Family Engagement Coordinator. Packer has served as a Community Outreach Manager for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Southwest Idaho for the past five years.

In her role with CASA she has organized and led community awareness events for foster children and their need for advocacy, recruited volunteers, led fundraising campaigns and engaged in community action plans with local mayors, county commissioners, and city councils to bring awareness to child abuse, children in the foster System, and to create healthier/more supportive communities for families.

In addition, Packer earned her master’s degree in education giving her valuable added perspective of the importance of creating inclusive environments for all students, the district noted.

“We can’t wait for our community to get to know Merrin. She is a bearer of light and joy wherever she goes,” district representatives said.

“We had a collection of excellent candidates from which to select and the decision was extremely difficult,” they said. “We are so grateful to the folks who expressed interest and were willing to step into these positions. The caliber of candidates was outstanding.”