New Principal, New Promise

In April, a handful of students and I were on a committee to give our input on the three finalists for the position of principal at Gig Harbor High School. A day or two later, we heard that it was going to be Bob Marshall.

After getting to know him, I think Mr. Marshall cares about what students have to say. He has spent his fair share of time in the Gig Harbor area. On the day of the Juneteenth Parade assembly at Gig Harbor High School, Marshall made an appearance. When I was marching in the Maritime Parade with the Gig Harbor High School band, I saw him at the judges’ stand. It was great to see him come out and support his future students.

He talked about how he enjoys spending time with his family. I went to middle school with his son and had his wife for seventh-grade Washington state history. Her class was very enjoyable, and her positive energy made it one of my favorites.

Mr. Marshall’s Washington roots started back when he graduated from Clover Park High School in Lakewood. Early in his career in education, he taught at Peninsula High School. His work has even taken him to a remote village in Alaska. Recently, he was the principal at North Kitsap High School in Poulsbo.

The North Kitsap School District experienced some controversy in recent years with leadership and accusations of racial discrimination and related issues. I asked Mr. Marshall about this and how he handled the backlash and kept the composure among his students and staff. His reaction was something I very much wanted to hear from a strong leader.

He talked about how he leads by example, emphasizing both action and words, but most importantly how he handles himself through both. He even talked about his experience working at Home Depot, and how he took a valuable lesson from his manager and is using it now. His manager told him, “We don’t have problems, we have opportunities.” This means giving yourself an opportunity to create a solution when people have spoken out about something they don’t like.

My final question for Mr. Marshall was about how he wanted the school to be in about five years. He has a very ambitious drive and a clear vision despite the chaos that has been going on at Gig Harbor with our own bullying and discrimination issues.

This was important to me because the next generation deserves a better, more polished experience than I had. As much as I can do to leave a positive legacy at my school, it ultimately comes down to our leaders.

He talked about the first things on his agenda: showing up, being present, and listening. He wants to listen to everyone in the school, including minority groups. Past issues in our schools had to do with a lack of action and a lack of listening. We in the Black Student Union at Gig Harbor High School felt like we had to try so much harder to be heard. But with a new leader comes new opportunities.

Seeing a higher-up person as a person, as a role model, instead of scary, is important for students. One thing that I admire is his ownership. Mr. Marshall talks about trying his best to create a positive, successful environment, but of course, that can’t always happen. When it doesn’t, you try to repair any broken relationships or trust that was broken.

Mr. Marshall said he was “elated” to win the job. Even in his days at Clover Park High School as a student, he saw Gig Harbor as one of the predominant high schools in the area. Now, he is leading the school that once inspired him. He loves the strong community aspect that Gig Harbor brings and how the community supports the school.

I am hopeful for the progress that Gig Harbor, now my alma mater, will be making in the years to come. Bob Marshall gives me a lot of faith in the future of Gig Harbor High School. He will be someone whom the students, staff, parents, and the community will look up to.

James McCourt is a 2025 graduate of Gig Harbor High School who will be attending Bard College in the fall. He lives in Vaughn.