For the first time in 23 years, Port Townsend High School students will answer to a new voice in the principal's office.

In a press release Tuesday, Superintendent Linda Rosenbury announced that Sean Moss, the current assistant principal at Blue Heron Middle School, will become the new principal at Port Townsend High School. Moss is replacing Principal Carrie Ehrhardt, who has accepted the Executive Director of Human Resources position with the Port Townsend School District.

Prior to serving as assistant principal at Blue Heron Middle School, Moss was principal of Quilcene K-12 School for six years. 

Moss said he is eager to get started and looks forward to the opportunity to lead the school.

"I'm incredibly excited; I couldn't be more ecstatic," said Moss. "When I look at Port Townsend, the high school is historic; it's top-tier. Our district has done so much for so many students."

Moss's tenure is expected to begin in early July. He imagines he will work closely with Rosenbury and Ehrhardt very soon. When Moss takes office, he said he does not need to make any immediate changes and plans to lean on the staff for support.

“One thing that I need to be very intentional on is getting to know everyone, asking a lot of questions, but not trying to institute a whole lot of change. She (Ehrhardt) has been very intentional, as has the school, for a long time in making positive change, and I think the worst thing that could happen is somebody going in there and trying to implement a whole lot of change quickly. I think that, right now, there's a whole lot that's working right," said Moss.

While Moss said immediate changes are not on the agenda, he said student attendance is an issue most schools face and should be a priority. He said the key to making progress is ensuring all students have a genuine positive relationship with the adults at the school and that the curriculum needs to be engaging and relevant to students.

"We need to ensure that Port Townsend is a place where all students can succeed, whatever that looks like," said Moss. "Whether it be that they're going to go directly to college, they're going to go into the trades or they're going to go into the workforce, we have to make sure that all students are ready for that next step."

Moss endorsed Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This inclusionary teaching approach focuses on eliminating unnecessary roadblocks in the learning process and accommodating the abilities and needs of all students. 

"How do we take away barriers?” said Moss. “The four components of UDL that I really focus on, and as an institution I want us to continue to focus on are Number One, we provide engagement; Number Two that we have universal accommodations; Number Three that we provide multiple ways to learn; and Number Four And that we assess multiple ways."

Moss reflected on his high school experience and described some of the educational barriers he encountered.

"I was not the ideal student, to say the least,” said Moss. “I wasn't engaged with learning. I had a really hard time, and I didn't find what we were doing relevant. I then went into the Navy for almost a decade. Afterwards, when I went back to college and was able to learn in different ways, I flourished, and I want our students to be able to do the same, too.”

As Moss prepares for the transition, he said Principal Ehrhardt's direction will be valuable. 

"One of the things I'm most excited for the position is to work with Principal Ehrhardt. Her depth of knowledge and having her literally across the road to ask questions and seek guidance. I don't think it could be better.”

As for Ehrhardt, who has been the principal since 2001, has accepted a position as Executive Director of Human Resources with the Port Townsend School District effective July 1. Ehrhardt is replacing current HR director Laurie McGinnis, who is retiring in December. 

 "Serving as the PTHS principal has been an incredible journey,” said Ehrhardt. “The past 23 years have been filled with rewarding experiences, growth, and cherished memories. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as the leader of PTHS for so many years. While my office and job duties will change, I am looking forward to the opportunity to support all of you through my new role, along with all of the employees in the Port Townsend School District."

Superintendent Rosenbury said Ehrhardt's experience will be pivotal for the transition and the district's future.

"Her institutional knowledge, deep relationships, strong work ethic, and attention to detail will benefit the district's business office. As Executive Director of HR, Carrie will be able to help principals navigate student investigations and personnel matters," said Rosenbury. "This transition will also allow Carrie to serve as an advisor and resource to the new PTHS principal."