You Are About To Leave the Highline Public Schools Website
You are now leaving the Highline website and will be redirected to a third-party application or website. This site may have advertisements or other content not necessarily endorsed or approved by Highline Public Schools.
Cabinet
The Superintendent's Cabinet is the team that oversees the way our strategic plan and other guiding principles are put into action. Each person in the cabinet has an area of strength that corresponds to the various demands of running a school district.
Dr. Ivan Duran is a proud product of public education. He was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. An early passion for reading and learning sparked his interest in being an educator. He has served over 30 years in public education, most recently as the Chief of Acceleration and Recovery for the Renton School District.
Dr. Duran previously served as superintendent for the Bellevue School District. As superintendent, Dr. Duran led with a focus on racial equity and inclusion, creating systems to support academic, social-emotional, and behavior development for all students.
Prior to Bellevue, Dr. Duran was deputy superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District and assistant superintendent for elementary education for Denver Public Schools. He has also served as a principal supervisor, director of instructional technology, principal, assistant principal, and teacher.
Dr. Duran’s core values include a passionate commitment to educational equity, dedication to continuous improvement aimed at results, and a collaborative and transparent leadership style. He holds a doctorate in Education Leadership and Policy Study from the University of Denver, a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado, and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Dr. Duran is an avid athlete, paddleboarder, life partner, father, and cook. He and his wife, Dr. Kelly Kovacic-Duran, share a passion for implementing equity in education, raising two bilingual boys (Mateo and Joaquín), enjoying their resident canine (Gracie), and exploring the great outdoors.
Jenniffer began her career as a teacher at Hilltop Elementary and has served as a literacy coach, principal in Seattle Public Schools and Highline, and Instructional Leadership Executive Director (ILED) supervising Highline elementary schools until her appointment as Chief Academic Officer in 2022.
Jenniffer holds a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Puget Sound and earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Gonzaga University.
Kisa Hendrickson
As a Seattle native, Kisa received her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Master of Social Work degree from the University of Washington. Prior to working for Highline Public Schools, Kisa was a family law and adoption paralegal. Kisa believes strongly in bringing a diverse family and student voice to the district leadership level and gathering supports for students and families to eliminate barriers to academic success. When not working with schools, families and community, Kisa spends her time with her husband and two young daughters.
Dr. Steve Grubb
With support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Steve led the effort to restructure a human resources department with greater focus on recruiting teachers and administrators of color. Steve has also served as a teacher, principal and school supervisor. His doctorate in education is from the University of Washington.
As the Chief Communications Officer at Highline Public Schools, Tove oversees strategic communications and all aspects of internal and external communications, including publications, family notification system, the website and social media presence. She joined Highline in 2013 and has led the communications office since 2024.
As Chief of Digital Transformation & Innovation, Teshon oversees the Department of Technology Services (DoTS) and is responsible for the design and implementation of districtwide data and voice infrastructure, software applications and use, internet connectivity and traffic, data security and end-user technical support.
As the Chief Financial Officer at Highline Public Schools, Jackie oversees the district’s strategic fiscal policy and financial services including budget, accounting and payroll. Jackie joined the Highline business services department in 2016 and has served in her current role as executive director of budget for the last two years. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University and a certificate in education finance from Georgetown University. In her current role, Jackie has developed extensive knowledge of annual budget development, including enrollment projections, staffing allocations, and revenue and expenditure projections.
Holly Ferguson, J.D.
As the district's Chief Policy & Strategy Officer Holly works closely with the School Board and provides strategic thought partnership to schools and departments.
Holly received her undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Oregon, and her law degree from Willamette University College of Law. Holly joined Highline Public Schools in 2013, after 11 years with Seattle Public Schools.
As Chief of Staff Erinn leads the development and ongoing monitoring of the strategic plan. She will work cross-functionally to lead district-level initiatives and co-manage school board relations. Erinn has a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern and a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law.
