Dan Chaplik named interim superintendent

The Blaine school board has named Dan Chaplik as its next superintendent, filling out an interim position for the 2025-26 school year.

Chaplik was set to retire at the end of this school year from his position as superintendent of the Sultan school district, and has worked in education for 32 years. He began his teaching career at Blaine Elementary School, and served as superintendent in Sultan since 2007.

In an ironic coincidence, Blaine’s outgoing superintendent Christopher Granger is leaving to take Chaplik’s position at the Sultan school district.

Chaplik was one of seven applicants for the interim superintendent position, and one of three who were publicly interviewed at the district boardroom on May 14. 

The board also interviewed Josh Middleton, who held superintendent positions in Idaho, Montana and most recently at the Granite Falls school district from 2019 to 2024, and Rich Stewart, the former Eatonville superintendent.

The board recruited all three with help from a contract with Northwest Leadership Associates, a public school administrator search firm.

The board asked each candidate a series of 10 questions regarding – among other topics – how they would handle budget reductions, communications with the board, staff, students and community, leadership style, and philosophy on working with labor unions.

In his interview, Chaplik said he preferred working with smaller school districts similar to Blaine so he can be easily accessible and “get to know the community better.”

Following deliberations in executive session, the four-member board (board president Cliff Freeman was absent) reached a consensus, confirming Chaplik as Blaine’s interim superintendent.

In a social media post on May 15, the board congratulated Chaplik on the interim position and thanked Granger for five years of service.

“The board looks forward to welcoming him back to Blaine and is confident in his ability to guide the district through this period of transition,” the board stated. “The board also expresses sincere appreciation to outgoing superintendent Dr. Christopher Granger for his dedication and support throughout this process.”