MOUNT BAKER, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Mount Baker School District is welcoming in its newest leader.

The district announced on Friday, March 14 that it has selected Jessica Schenck as the next superintendent.

Schenck will transition from her role in the Othello School District as its assistant superintendent of teaching and learning.

She graduated from Western Washington University with a journalism degree in 1999 before working as a reporter at the Yakima Herald-Republic. She then got her master’s in teaching at Heritage University and went on to spend the last 18 years in education.

The Mount Baker School District says her commitment to academic excellence, inclusive leadership and strong partnerships throughout the interview process were key factors in choosing her.

Schenck takes over for Nick Perigo, who served as the district’s interim superintendent since July 2024.

She inherits a budget deficit that forced the district to lay off 23 teachers last year.