Dear Concord International Elementary Staff and Community,  

I am writing to share an important leadership update for Concord International Elementary. 

Principal Surojit Pierce has resigned from Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and will not be returning to Concord International Elementary for the 2026–27 school year. We appreciate Principal Pierce’s service to the Concord community and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. 

Strong school leadership is key to a school’s success, and we’re excited to begin the process of finding Concord International’s next principal. In SPS, we use a thorough, multi-step process to ensure that each new principal is a great fit for the school and its needs. 

As part of this process, we’ll be gathering input from the Concord International community to help choose the best candidate. This will include a School Leader Attributes Survey for staff and families, as well as a site-based interview team that will help review and interview candidates. Below, you’ll find an overview of the process and what to expect in the coming months. 

Hiring Process Overview 

In December, we began advertising for principal candidates. Those who meet our qualifications and pass a rigorous interview process are placed into a pool of potential candidates. When a school position opens, the Human Resources (HR) team reviews the candidates and makes recommendations to the Executive Directors of Schools. The Executive Director for each school community will lead the formation of a site-based Principal Interview Committee that will interview candidates who have been moved forward from the HR screening and initial interview process. 

What’s Next for Concord International 

The Concord International principal position is posted and will remain open until filled. Throughout the hiring process, the Executive Director will work with the Building Leadership Team (BLT) and the PTSA/PTO to develop interview questions specific to Concord International’s needs. Staff and parents will also be invited to take part in a Principal Attributes Survey to provide input on what qualities they believe the next principal should have. 

Interview Team Composition 

For the interview process, a site-based team will be formed, which may include: 

• Teachers from various grade levels 
• Community members (parents or guardians) 
• Classified staff (e.g., administrative secretaries) 
• Central office leaders and other principals 

This team will work together to ensure that the selected candidate is the best fit for Concord International. We will share more details and a timeline as the process moves forward. If you have questions or would like updates, please reach out to Executive Director of Elementary Schools, Dr. Jessica Conte, at jkconte@seattleschools.org. The complete guidelines and hiring process for principal hiring in Seattle Public Schools can be found here School Leader Hiring Process.  

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to find the next leader for Concord International. 

Dr. Sarah J Pritchett-Goodman 
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources 
Seattle Public Schools