Skills Center director hired

Walla Walla Public Schools hires Southeast Area Technical Skills Center director

WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors Tuesday night unanimously approved the hiring of Dennis Matson as the Southeast Area Technical Skills Center (SEA-TECH)/Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director.

Matson is currently in his fourth year as principal at Newport High School, Newport, WA. Prior, he was a Marketing and Business Education teacher for 10 years at Deer Park High School and served as the District's CTE director from 2007 to 2010. Matson’s career also includes 15 years of experience in sales, marketing and management.

"In my years in education, Dennis Matson is the best program builder I have ever seen," said WWPS Superintendent Mick Miller, who worked with Matson in Deer Park. "Dennis is such a good fit with the outstanding CTE department at Wa-Hi and Lincoln and will help us expand our programs in our middle schools. The SEA-TECH team is shaping up into a powerhouse for kids."

Matson will be working with the SEA-TECH development team of Dennis Debroeck, Sergio Hernandez and Gerry Ringwood this spring on a limited basis while completing his work in Newport. His official start date is July 1.

Construction of the 37,000 sq. ft. Southeast Area Technical Skills Center began in spring 2013 and is expected to be completed in March 2014. Classes will start in fall 2014. The project cost is approximately $11 million. The state funded this project through school construction match dollars. WWCC is leasing the land to Walla Walla Public Schools for $1 per year. The district’s matching portion of the project cost is the value of the lease over 30 years. There were no local bond taxes used to fund the project. SEA-TECH is a branch campus of Tri-Tech Skills Center in Kennewick, WA.

Programs Offered:

Digital Media Technology, Advanced Manufacturing and Welding Technology, Sustainable Energy Technology and Health Science Careers.

Partnering Districts:

Dayton, Waitsburg, Touchet, Prescott and College Place