David Cram, credited with steering La Conner Schools to financial stability, has been named permanent superintendent after the school board unanimously approved his contract at a Jan. 13 meeting. Cram, a La Conner High and Pacific Lutheran University graduate, returned to the district in March 2023. He had previously served as interim superintendent and deputy superintendent overseeing finance, human resources, and operations.
Cram was elevated to interim superintendent nine months ago when Dr. Will Nelson, who had introduced several innovative academic programs in La Conner, accepted a teaching position at Western Washington University.
Council member MaryLee Chamberlain said Cram is well-suited to guide the district going forward. “He’s got the ship righted,” Chamberlain said, “and he’s thinking about the future. I’ve been working with him on some grants, so things will be even brighter in the future.”
The board, school staff, and several community members applauded Cram’s success in restoring the district to sound fiscal health. Under Cram’s financial management, La Conner Schools has been removed from state-imposed binding conditions and seen its fund balance emerge from red ink to about $1.1 million, just shy of the board’s goal of maintaining reserves equal to 10% of the district’s $13 million operating budget.
Cram said the fiscal rebound has been a collaborative effort, and he praised district staff for taking on added responsibilities while working to meet diverse student learning styles and further fostering La Conner Schools’ longstanding relationship with the Swinomish Tribal Community.
Enrollment projections remain a concern, with Cram estimating just 460 full-time students for 2024-25, compared to 700 in the early 2000s and about 600 prior to the pandemic. State funding is tied to enrollment, making growth essential to long-term financial health.
Enrollment, Cram has pointed out, is the main driver of state funding support of public school districts. To reverse those declining financial trends, the district has, over the past two years, weathered difficult personnel and program cuts and reduced the daily high school schedule to six teaching periods.
Retired La Conner Middle School principal Maureen Harlan lauded both Cram and the district’s director of teaching and learning, Beth Clothier, for their effective management. “I loved working with both of them,” said Harlan, also a La Conner alum.
Teacher and La Conner Education Association representative Ally Sehlin likewise praised Cram.
“I’m a La Conner teacher and alum and union rep,” Sehlin said, “and have worked with Dave and Beth, and I can tell you that the district leadership team we have is very thoughtful. You can trust Dave and Beth and know that what they’re doing is in the best interests of the district.
“We don’t always agree,” Sehlin said, “but we can talk things through and reach a solution.”
Sehlin said that Cram “understands the intricacies of our communities and wants to move forward and make positive changes.” Board President Susie Deyo and members of the district’s governing panel weighed in as well.
Deyo said Cram has established a positive learning environment at La Conner Schools and stabilized the district’s finances. “We have a perfect match here,” Deyo said, “with Dave being our business manager and superintendent.”
“I do believe you’re perfect for our district,” board member John Agen told Cram. “It’s great to have an alum who appreciates our school district and communities.” Cram is now focused on securing passage of the district’s four-year, $4.7 million levy proposal. The measure, which is on the Feb. 11 ballot, seeks to maintain the current $1.11 per $1,000 assessed property valuation tax rate.
“La Conner holds a special place in my heart,” said Cram, who expressed gratitude for the district’s staff, students, and residents. “La Conner means a great deal to me.”
