• In the 13 years Wayne Robertson has run the Lakewood schools, the district has undergone tremendous growth. Now it's his turn. The Lakewood superintendent announced this week that he will be the newest assistant superintendent in the Edmonds School District. "This will take me in a different direction and offer me some experience with a large organization," Robertson said, understating the change. He goes from a district with 2,300 students to one with more than 21,000. As assistant superintendent, Robertson will run a part of the Edmonds School District that is nearly three times the size of Lakewood. Robertson feels a more important distinction in his new job is a chance to work with educators who are recognized around the state and even the country for their innovation in education. "They are recognized leaders in educational reform," he said. Edmonds schools have used performance-based education standards for 10 years. Robertson said it's a direction many area school districts are taking now. Lakewood is one of those. And Robertson is himself a leader in school reform. He brought a new style of decision-making to the district. "He is known for his work in site-based decision making," noted Lakewood High School Principal Kris McDuffy. His resignation comes on the heels of a successful, if drawn out, campaign to pass a maintenance and operations levy. The levy request was endorsed by 66 percent of Lakewood voters after failing with only 50 percent in February. More importantly, he leaves behind schools now known for their focus on learning. "We have basically enhanced programs that were lost by the early levy failures or that never existed," he said. "I never really expected the real depth, caring and commitment that I found in Lakewood," said McDuffy, who was hired by Robertson nine years ago.