School board names new superintendent
WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors unanimously named Mr. Wade Smith the district’s new superintendent pending successful contract negotiations. Smith will begin July 1, 2016 following the retirement of current Superintendent Dr. Bill Jordan.
Smith has been Interim/Deputy Superintendent for the Hermiston School District since 2011. He assumed the role of superintendent for Hermiston School District from 2011 to 2013 while the superintendent was on military leave abroad. He was also Assistant Superintendent for Support Services for Hermiston School District for four years and Assistant Superintendent and Principal of the Morrow County School District. He has been a secondary education science teacher in the Long Creek School District. Mr. Smith is enrolled in a doctorate program through Concordia University. He earned his Administrative/Superintendent license through Lewis and Clark College and has a Masters of Arts in Teaching and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Willamette University. He is President of the Hermiston Kiwanis Club and past co-chairman of the Hermiston Futures Task Force.
Smith is married to Marianne, an art teacher at Hermiston High School. They have two daughters, Emily 6th grade and Cheyenne, 9th grade. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time at his lake cabin. Smith is a first generation college student and son of a drywall contractor and career secretary.
“My parents are the two hardest working people I have ever met and have instilled in me a strong work ethic and character centered on the importance of developing relationships,” Smith said. “We are excited to move to Walla Walla and become part of this amazing community and school district steeped in a tradition of excellence.”
School board members reached out to their counterparts at all three school districts during the superintendent search process. Administrators and staff also contacted many of their peers at the other districts to gain feedback and insight on the candidates to share with the school board. The search process also included many opportunities for district stakeholders to learn more about the candidates and share their feedback.
“We had three outstanding candidates and utilized an exhaustive process to determine our final selection,” said School Board President Cindy Meyer. “We are thrilled to have Wade Smith as our next leader. He has the experience and characteristics we are looking for in a leader and feel collectively he is the best fit for Walla Walla.”
For more information on the hiring of Mr. Wade Smith, contact Communications Director Mark Higgins at (509) 526-6716 or by email: mhiggins@wwps.org.
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