Superintendent
Dr. Wade Smith, Superintendent
Phone: (509) 526-6715
E-mail: wsmith@wwps.org
Follow Dr. Wade Smith
Susie Golden, Executive Assistant
Phone: (509) 526-6715
E-mail: sgolden@wwps.org
My Core Values:
"I strive to be an inspirational leader who believes that leveraging collaborative cultures built on organizational trust is the the most effective way to maximize internal capacity to ensure high levels of learning for all."
About Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith
Dr. Wade Smith joined Walla Walla Public Schools in 2016, serving as its 16th superintendent over its 165 year history. With over twenty five years of educational experience, Wade has worked as a classroom teacher, elementary and secondary principal, central office administrator, and Superintendent.
Smith grew up near Beaverton, OR. A first-generation college student, he attended Willamette University, earning his Bachelor's of Science in Chemistry. While at Willamette, Wade met his future wife, Marianne. They have been happily married for over twenty-five years, and have two adult daughters.
First starting out as a high school science teacher, Wade then pursued his principal and superintendent credentials through Lewis and Clark College. He later earned his doctorate in education, his dissertation focused on construction delivery models associated with K-12 capital referenda. Over his career, he has led numerous successful bond and levy measures, overseeing hundreds of millions of dollars in capital improvements across multiple districts. Wade has presented numerous times at state and national educational conferences on topics such as school bonds/levys, construction delivery models, campaign strategies and district branding/marketing. He has also been asked to present on educational finance, equity and belonging, and educational leadership.
In 2021 Dr. Smith was recognized by the Washington Association of School Administrator's with the Robert J. Handy Most Effective Leader Award for all large school districts in Washington State. Smith also received a WASA Student Achievement Leadership Award in 2021 for improving outcomes for students by closing the graduation gap for Latino students. Dr. Smith has served on a number of state committees, workgroups, and advisory roles advocating for improved school facilities, educational funding and student experiences.
In January Dr. Smith announced he would be stepping aside at the end of his contract year this July after nearly a decade of service to Walla Walla Schools. His new position, a Senior Director role with a prominent school consulting firm, will allow for he and his wife to remain in the community while he assists districts across the Pacific Northwest plan for and implement successful bond and levy construction programs.
When he is not busy supporting either community or district events, you are likely to find Wade spending time recreating in the mountains as an avid outdoorsman.
To follow his progress and activities in the Walla Walla Schools, in addition to his community engagement and volunteerism, feel free to follow him on Twitter @WallaWallaSup.
Educational Leadership & Involvement
- SIAW Governing Board: 2024-Present
- AASA Governing Board: 2023-Present
- WSU-Vancouver Professional Education Advisory Board: 2022-Present
- Walla Walla Blue Zones Steering Committee: 2020-2023
- WASA/AASA Communities of Practice Workgroup: 2020-23
- Walla Walla Noon Rotary 2016-Present
- WASA Region 123 Board Member: 2018-2022
- WASA School Funding Coalition: 2020-21
- OSPI Student Learning Advisory Workgroup: 2020-21
- OSPI Staffing Enrichment Workgroup: 2019-20
- ESD 123 Superintendent President: 2018-20
Superintendent Communications & Publications
- Embracing a Phone-free Future for Walla Walla's Middle Schools (Op Ed Article) 7/24
- Running Through The Finish Line (AASA Magazine) 5/24
- Approval of Walla Walla School Levies Affirms Community's Values (Op Ed Article) 3/24
- In Pursuit of the American Dream (Op Ed Article) 11/23
- Learning 21st-Century Skills Through a Century-old Program (Op Ed Article) 8/23
- "Vision 2030" Provides Exciting Direction for our School District's Future (Op Ed Article) 5/23
- What Our Nation's Schools Can Learn from Lewis and Clark's Journey (Op Ed Article) 2/23
- Walla Walla School Board Vital to Students' Success (Op Ed Article) 1/23
- Celebrating American Education Week - A Ride-a-long With Driver Robb (Op Ed Article) 11/22
- The "Shine" is Back at Walla Walla Public Schools (Op Ed Article) 9/22
- Beyond the Pandemic (Op Ed Article) 5/22
- The State of Our Schools: A Rotary Club report from 1926 (Op Ed Article) 2/22
- Honoring the Present-Lessons from our Past: Celebrating American Education Week (Op Ed Article) 11/2021
- One of My Best Cups of Coffee Ever (Op Ed Article) 8/2021
- We All Belong Here (Op Ed Article) 7/2021
- What Schools Have Learned (or relearned) as a Result of the Pandemic (Op Ed Article) 2/2021
- Children Need to Get Back to School - It's Up to our Community to Help Make that Happen (Op Ed Article) 8/2020
- What Does Fall Hold for our Local Schools (Op Ed Article) 6/2020
- A Spring Unlike Any Other (Op Ed Article) 4/2020
- Levy Appreciation (Op Ed Article) 2/2020
- Winter 2020 District Update (Service Club Presentation) 1/2020
- Ringing in the New Year (Op Ed Article) 1/2020
- Time to Shine the Walla Walla Way Bat Signal (Op Ed Article) 9/2019
- Remembering September 11 0/2019
- Going All In: A Year of Accomplishments (Op Ed Article) 6/2019
- Once a Blue Devil Always a Blue Devil (Op Ed Article) 9/2018
- Superintendent Advisory Group Presentation 9/2018
- School Safety is Number One (Op Ed Article) 7/2018
- The Importance of High Expectations (Family Forum: 3/2018)
- Getting to Home Plate (Op Ed Article) (7/2017)
- The Future For Walla Walla Schools (Op Ed Article) 4/2017
- WWPS Vision (Op Ed Article) 1/2017
- In the Business of Saving Lives (Op Ed Article) 11/2016