Two high-level Enumclaw School District employees are settling into their new roles as presidents of Washington state education associations.

During the June 30 ESD board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Shaun Carey announced that he has assumed the top role at the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) and that Public Information officer Jessica McCartney now heads the Washington School Public Relations Association (WSPRA).

Both were elected to be president-elect of their respective organizations last year.

Carey, who received his superintendent credentials from Pacific Lutheran University and a doctorate in education from Washington State University, has been a member of WASA since 2012 in various roles, including two terms on the WASA Board of Directors.

“We congratulate Dr. Carey on being elected to serve and lead WASA as its president. Throughout his career, including his tenure as superintendent of the Enumclaw School District, Shaun has demonstrated outstanding leadership, earning the admiration and respect of WASA members across the entire state.” WASA Executive Director Joel Aune said in a press release about his election win. “… Shaun is a respected leader who embodies the core values of WASA: Leadership, Trust, and Advocacy. His tenure as superintendent of the Enumclaw School District has been characterized by an unwavering commitment to advancing educational equity for all students—a commitment that is in full alignment with the core values and mission of WASA.”

McCartney got her bachelor’s degree at the University of Washington in 2013 and received her Accreditation in Public Relations in May 2024. She’s worked at ESD since 2019 and is currently the Director of Communications, and she most recently was featured to the April edition of the National School Public Relations Association’s Elevation magazine about how she utilized AI to prepare her for the APR exam.

“I am honored to serve as President of WSPRA this year, and excited to work alongside this incredible team of dedicated professionals and our Executive Director to bring the WSPRA strategic plan to life to support school communicators and districts across the state,” McCartney said in an email interview.

WASA, a nonprofit, works to support education administrators at all levels through professional training and legislative lobbying.

The WSPRA, also a nonprofit, aims to bolster education public relations professionals in order to strengthen school communication between educators and school stakeholders.