Ben Shuldiner is the Seattle School Board's Choice for Superintendent

Update 3:

The Wikipedia page on him.  

When Ben Shuldiner attended Harvard University as an undergraduate, he became involved in labor activism and was selected to join the inaugural class of the AFL–CIO's Union Summer, where he worked organizing day care workers in urban Chicago. On campus, he co-founded Harvard's Progressive Student Labor Movement to fight for living wages for university employees and also served as a sports writer for The Harvard Crimson.

Shuldiner was one of six Democratic candidates in the 2006 election to defeat incumbent Republican Sue Kelly for the 19th Congressional District of New York. His campaign was focused on ending No Child Left Behind and creating a single payer national health care program. Shuldiner lost the nomination to fellow Democrat John Hall, who went on to beat Kelly in a close election.

A lifelong hemophiliac, he was selected as the keynote speaker for the 2003 annual conference of the National Hemophilia Foundation.

About belonging to Screen Actors Guild, he was a child actor. Story from none other than The Seattle Times:

But back in 1986, as a 9-year-old part-time child actor with Howdy Doody-red hair and gotta-pinch dimples, Shuldiner was cast alongside Bill Cosby in Jell-O's commercial for the new Vanilla Swirl Pop. Decked out in a life-size white Popsicle outfit, young Ben marries a chocolate chip.

He did get into trouble once at Harvard, getting put on probation for moving a cafeteria table into his dorm room to play cards. 

There's a NY Times story about how he and his wife - in 2010 - lived in separate apartments across the hall from each other.  

But also, there's this wedding notice at Zola (a wedding site) that has him getting married on October 25, 2025. The photo looks like him. Hmm. (The Times article on him confirms he just got married.)

end of update

Update 2:

His HYA resume from Feb. 2025.

He was a founding principal in a Brooklyn High School for 10 years. 

He doesn't speak any other language but English. 

He says this:

Finally, my approach to board relations aligns with CCSD’s commitment to Balanced Governance. I value a collaborative and engaged school board, recognizing that a strong partnership between the superintendent and board members is essential for effective leadership.

My experience in fostering a culture of transparency, mutual respect, and shared decision-making will help ensure a productive and united leadership team.

He is under contract with Lansing SD until June 30, 2027 so it appears he will be breaking that contract. 

He has never been suspended or terminated/dismissed, asked to resign or resigned to avoid discipline or had an allegation of misconduct from any position while serving in a school or school district.

His essay on wanting the job in Clark County is interesting and on point. 

He also writes about the Lansing School Board's "Balanced Government Approach."

Many superintendents are either unaware of or shy away from Balanced Government, as they feel that it takes too much power from the Superintendent and causes board members to “get in the weeds” of a district. I feel completely differently. I applaud you in choosing Balanced Government. 

 

The idea of an active, engaged, and knowledgeable board, working side-by-side with the Superintendent to focus on student success is the dream recipe to move a district forward. Neither micro-managing, nor disengaged, having a Balanced Government board allows for a truly mutually beneficial relationship to support student success. What I also love about Balanced Government is the expectation it has of board members to be actively engaged in the community. The more that the board listens to and is of the community, the easier it is to actually run the district. 

 

Lastly, one of the great parts of Balanced Government is the thoughtful outcomes bases approach it takes. As superintendent, I want a board that understand the district, cares about the district, and holds me accountable to honest and thoughtful outcomes.

Doesn't sound like SOFG at all.

He has worked with educators in Norway and India. 

Also of interest:

Participant Scholar on Scholars as Bridge Builders: Education for Peace, Jerusalem and Palestine Territories

National Hemophilia Foundation

- Keynote Speaker at 2003 Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT

- Spoken at over a dozen national and regional hemophilia events

- Member of Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Actors (SAG-AFTRA)

- Southern California Junior High School State Chess Champion

- Member of the Harvard Varsity Club (crew)

His reference letters are great. "Emotional intelligence"  as well as:

One of Ben’s greatest strengths is his ability to manage district finances with a level of expertise that is rare in education. He has consistently demonstrated a genius for identifying savings, restructuring financial operations, and redirecting resources to support students and teachers. In fact, his careful management of district finances has resulted in more funding being freed up to enhance educational opportunities, improve facilities, and ensure that the district can meet the needs of all students, even in challenging economic conditions.

end of update 

Update 1:

It appears that Shuldiner was getting restless in Lansing. Earlier this year, he was one of the top three finalists for Last Vegas schools. He said he had not actively sought the job but was invited to apply.

“I’m looking to be here as long as I can,” Shuldiner said. “You know, I’m really proud of the work that we’re doing and there’s still a lot more to be done, but you know, I want everybody at home to rest assured, I’m not actively searching, I’m not unhappy. It’s not like I’m trying to look to leave you know, but when the fifth largest school district in the country calls you, you’re going to pick up the phone.

He has been in Lansing for four years. 

At the start of March, Shuldiner and the Lansing School District announced the district had reached a record graduation rate of 88%. Over the past three years, graduation rates have increased in the district by 26%. The district also saw a 12% decrease in its drop-out rate from 2021 to 2024. 

end of update

 

All the Board directors were in person (except Brandon Hersey) this afternoon when Board President Gina Topp named  Ben Shuldiner as their top candidate for the next Seattle Schools' superintendent. All of the student directors were there as well. He is currently superintendent of Lansing Public Schools in Lansing, Michigan and has previously been a teacher, principal, and school board member.  (Clark does not appear to have dialed in for this meeting.)

He appears to be a white man and perhaps 50 years old. 

From Lansing School District:

Previously, he was a Dean’s Fellow and the Distinguished Lecturer of Education Leadership at Hunter College, City University of New York, where he directed all School and District Leadership programs for the institution.  In 2015, Ben was appointed to the New York City Board of Education, the largest school system in America, serving over 1.1 million students.  He also was named a trustee of the Board of Education Retirement System, where he helped manage over $5 billion of Pension Assets. In 2016 and again in 2017, Ben was elected President of ASCD, the largest education professional organization in the country, comprising over 125,000 members—superintendents, principals, teachers, and advocates from more than 138 countries— including 52 affiliate organizations. The first president to serve two terms, Ben had the longest tenure of any President in the 75-year history of the venerable organization.

Over the last decade Ben consulted around the world supporting schools and districts to better serve students and their communities. Among his many endeavors, Ben worked with Norwegian school and district administrators supporting their leadership growth. He worked closely with numerous Indian education systems to effectively provide a world-class learning environment. Domestically, Ben also helped support Urban Assembly schools as well as other NYC DOE schools and districts.

For his work in education, Ben was awarded the prestigious Jefferson Award for Public Service for an Individual 35 Years of Age and Under. Ben received his undergraduate degree from Harvard College, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, and his MSEd from Baruch College. 

I will be busy Googling  X tonight and plan to make some phone calls tomorrow, hoping to hear good things about him.

Remarks From Schuldiner

I would like to believe I have found my permanent home.

Loving adults and brilliant children and shepherd a new beginning for this district. 

Gave out cell number today and people were shocked. 

Point blank - our goal today is to make Seattle the single greatest urban school district. (Editor's note: funny thing - I've said the same thing for decades.)

Board has been incredible. 

To staff, I know all of us can do better because we have to do better for teachers, staff, and children. 

Thrilled to be here and to be your superintendent and say, "Let's get to work because our children deserve the best." 

Topp says he will join them in early 2026 - good news there. There is a press event now but not televised.