From Controversy to Collaboration: Co-designing Education in Anacortes with Dr. Justin Irish

In this episode of An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Justin Irish, Superintendent of the Anacortes School District in Washington and a former principal at Edmonds School District. Dr. Justin Irish shares how systems thinking, co-design, and meaningful partnerships have helped his district navigate mental health challenges, budget shortfalls, and equity conversations.

We discuss his strategic approach to transparent budgeting, the importance of shared decision-making, and the lessons he learned through vulnerability and community engagement. From establishing mental health supports across schools to leading the redesign of the highly capable program during the pandemic, Dr. Justin Irish demonstrates the power of authentic, human-centered leadership.

If you’re a school leader, educator, or someone passionate about empowering communities through education, don’t miss this thoughtful and inspiring conversation with Dr. Justin Irish.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

• Strategic Partnerships for Student Wellness – Dr. Justin Irish explains how his district built cross-sector collaborations with hospitals and foundations to support students' mental health.

• Building Systems of Predictable Support – How a tiered model (MTSS) helps identify and meet students’ academic and emotional needs.

• Transparent and Inclusive Budget Planning – Lessons from implementing zero-based budgeting and community-led advisory councils to navigate financial constraints.

• Redesigning the Highly Capable Program – Why listening, pausing, and co-designing with stakeholders helped reshape a controversial decision into a shared solution.

• The Value of Vulnerable Leadership – Dr. Justin Irish reflects on the importance of acknowledging mistakes and leading with humility to build trust and connection.
  
  

Listen to the full episode to hear how Dr. Justin Irish is making a lasting impact on education and building stronger, more connected school communities.

Listening Links:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/26Y4nEEwL9mLzrxUh17NWf
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/an-imperfect-leader-the-superintendents/id1644897856
Podcast Site: https://imperfectleader.com/podcasts/

Follow Our Guest Dr. Justin Irish on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin