| School district chooses new superintendent |  |  |  |
| by Dan Balmer | |
| Friday, April 02, 2010 | |
 Baker, a Western alumnus, is currently the deputy superintendent for Portland Public Schools. Baker will finish the school year in Portland and become the Bellingham superintendent effective July 1, replacing interim superintendent Sherrie Brown. “I am very excited to be a part of a community that embraces the school system,” Baker said. “In my career, every time I have had an opportunity to learn, I have always risen to the occasion. My path to Bellingham gives me a good foundation of perspectives to help this district move forward.” On Monday, he visited schools in Bellingham and answered questions from a community panel as the last remaining finalist. Baker was one of two finalists remaining from 33 applicants reviewed by the Bellingham School District Board. On March 27, the other finalist for the job, Dr. Steven Herzog, withdrew his candidacy to accept another superintendent position in the San Francisco Bay area. Herzog said he was offered the Bay area position before the Bellingham process was complete, and felt he had the support needed to move that district forward. He watched Baker’s video interview from Monday and said the community is lucky to have a talented leader who is well-suited for Bellingham. “The process is like a marriage proposal,” said Kenneth Gass, president of the board. “We want to hire someone who wants to be here.” Gass said the total annual salary package for Bellingham’s superintendent position is about $200,000 — significantly less than what |