Mercer Island School District concluded its two-month search and selection process by naming Nick Wold as the new Mercer Island High School (MIHS) principal.
Wold served as the school’s interim principal while entering the candidate pool for the job, and district Superintendent Fred Rundle revealed Wold’s hiring in a March 13 letter to the school community. Candidates from throughout the region, out of state and from international schools applied for the job, Rundle said.
Also on March 13, a posted letter from Wold noted that he is honored and grateful to step into the MIHS principal position. Further, he thanked the hiring team — along with MIHS students, staff and community members who also engaged in the hiring process — for choosing him and trusting him to lead the school.
“I am a fighter who will continue pushing our school to grow and improve for ALL Islanders to succeed,” reads a portion of Wold’s letter.
Wold joined the Island school district six years ago as MIHS associate principal after serving as a teacher, coach, ASB/student activities coordinator, dean of students and assistant athletic director in the Monroe School District, according to a previous Reporter article.
In the college realm, Wold received his bachelor of science degree from Central Washington University, master of science degree in physical education and exercise sport science degree from University of Central Missouri and principal certification from Western Washington University.
“As an internal and qualified candidate, Mr. Wold stands ready to immediately further what has already started this year to advance MIHS forward. Mr. Wold’s understanding of the school and community; growth and evolution as a leader; willingness to listen, learn, and adapt; commitment to the best interests of MIHS; and dreams for what students can achieve give me the confidence that he is the right person for the moment,” Rundle said.
Wold told the Reporter that the school district’s hallmark of placing learning and students first fuels and inspires him each day.
“I have never been in a place that values learning more than our high school and really our community of learners,” said Wold, adding that he’s fortunate to be a component of the district’s shared-leadership technique with its administration, faculty, Mercer Island Education Association partners and more.
His desire to step into the principal’s role has evolved over time and became clear while he served in the interim spot. Wold has always strove to step forward whenever a leadership void occurred during his career because he cares about kids and communities.
In the challenges realm, Wold said that more progress needs to be made regarding students’ mental health issues. He loves the work that Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, MI Parent Edge and other groups have done and said the school district will continue focusing on students’ well-being.
In a letter posted to the MIHS community on the district site on Sept. 14, 2022, previous principal Walter Kelly explained that he would take a leave of absence at that juncture due to health issues. He later sent a farewell letter to the MIHS community on Jan. 19, which the district shared with the Reporter. In a separate letter posted on the same date, Rundle addressed Kelly’s resignation and praised his talents, creativity and passion for education, leadership and instruction.
