Former world history teacher to fill position

Sedro-Woolley High School has kicked off the school year with a new administrative position that will focus primarily on student discipline and attendance issues.

The position was filled in August by Mark Nilson, the high school’s former world history teacher, who has taught at the high school for five years. Nilson is also a Sedro-Woolley High School alumnus.

Staff changes at the high school, including the in-district transfer of former vice principal Brian Isakson, allowed district administration to create the position.

As dean of students, Nilson will be responsible for monitoring student attendance, following up on unexcused absences and addressing other behavioral issues that occur in the high school, said Mike Schweigert, the high school’s principal.

In addition, Nilson will participate in other responsibilities held by a vice principal, including supervising teaching faculty. Other administrative staff at the high school will assist Nilson with discipline issues when needed.

The high school is finding ways for its administration to provide support to students who are struggling, while at the same time hold them accountable for their responsibilities, Schweigert said.

“Hopefully by having Mark (Nilson) focusing on an area of discipline the school can get to students sooner who are struggling,” he said.

Prior to creating the dean of students position, the three vice principals and Schweigert were assigned an administrative task in addition to addressing discipline issues.

Having one administrator responsible for those problems allows the high school to “provide as much consistency for students as possible,” he said.

Consolidating discipline issues to one person will also help them to be addressed in a timely and consistent manner, Nilson said.

“Students have to be here (at the high school) on task and attentive here if they want to learn,” he said.

Nilson said he applied for the position this summer because he was looking for a career change in education and thought his experience as a teacher, coach and adviser could transfer to the administrative position well.

He said he hopes having 26 years of experience in a classroom will help him deal with the discipline issues schools face from a teacher’s standpoint.

Schweigert said aside from being familiar with the high school, Nilson will be a good fit for the position because he is “student centered” and has a great reputation with the high school staff.

Nilson will also help bring the perspective of teaching staff to the administration, he said. That perspective will help benefit the high school since administrators try to consider how their decisions will impact its teaching staff.

Nilson said he looks forward to continuing to working at a high school with a lot of student diversity and staff and input from local residents.

“I like the fact we have great community support and have a lot of families who help support the school,” he said. “I remember that as a student here, and it’s good to see that still exists.”