Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones has announced that he will step down as the district’s leader in September. The announcement comes just a month after the Seattle School Board approved a one-year contract renewal for Jones and after more than a year of parent disgruntlement over recommendations in 2023 and 2024 to close schools to help deal with the district’s budget deficit.
While Jone’s first proposal to shutter up to 24 schools eventually downsized in 2024 to closing doors on just a few and then to no closures at all for the 2025-2026 school year, the idea of closures caused parents to organize in protest. Parents have demanded that the district be more transparent in the budgeting process.
Jones sent an email to parents and the district announcing his decision to leave, and SPS posted a two-minute video of Jones on its Vimeo account on Monday. Here’s what Jones had to say about his September 3 departure date:
My decision comes from a desire to spend more time with my family. I am providing ample notice to ensure a smooth transition and to be respectful of our school community. As a community, our school system gives us so much to be proud of during my tenure,” Jones said.
He went on to list his accomplishments since becoming SPS superintendent in 2021.
“I led several key initiatives that strengthened Seattle Public Schools in pursuit of academic excellence, including accelerated academic recovery coming out of the pandemic, advancing equity and inclusion, expanding Student Support Services, and strengthening community partnerships,” Jones noted.
“It’s been an honor to serve as superintendent of Seattle Public Schools and to give back to the community that shaped me,” he added. “I take pride in the progress that we’ve made together, and I remain committed to supporting our students, educators, and families during this transition.”
Jones said that in the months leading up to his departure, he will:
- assisting with the search for a new superintendent search
- collaborating with the state legislature to “advance” funding for Seattle Public Schools
- present a balanced budget for the 2025-2026
- laying the foundation for the district’s next strategic plan
- and get the next school year started
Jones said more details about the superintendent search process will be announced soon. Watch Jone’s video on Vimeo.
