MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Media are invited to discuss this superintendent certification program with Judy Mitchell, dean of the Washington State University College of Education; Dennis Ray, associate professor at WSU Spokane and founder of the program; Nancy Kyle, associate professor at WSU Tri-Cities; and Jean Lane, assistant superintendent at Richland School District on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at Leo’s Catering (entrance behind Washington Hardware and Furniture), 20 North Auburn, Kennewick. WSU representatives will speak to the Kennewick Kiwanis from 12:30 p.m. until 1, with a press availability to follow. For more information, contact Terry Maurer at WSU Tri-Cities, 509/372-7319, tmaurer@tricity.wsu.edu.
PULLMAN, Wash. — To help avert an expected shortage of school administrators, Washington State University has developed an innovative superintendent certification program available statewide that has graduated 27 future school leaders now working in Mid-Columbia area schools.
At the WSU Tri-Cities campus, associate professor Nancy Kyle coordinates the program and has served as a mentor to many of those students. Kyle started teaching in the Richland School District in 1968, served as the district’s assistant superintendent for four years, and then retired to join the WSU faculty in 2001.
Kyle noted that in addition to the 27 graduates of the certification program now working in the Mid-Columbia (see list below), another 12 graduates are working in the Yakima area.
Preparing new superintendents now is critical, Kyle said, because according to the Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction of Washington report “Educator Supply and Demand in Washington,” released July 30, 2002, more than one-third of Washington’s school superintendents are expected to retire in the next five years.
Dennis Ray, associate professor and director of the new WSU superintendent certification program, said that WSU is preparing the state’s future superintendents now to fill those positions. Ray’s program annually graduates 25 students, which is about two-thirds of the superintendents entering the profession and earning certification every year in Washington.
The preparation program for school superintendents at WSU is known nationally as an exemplary model program. “WSU’s program successfully combines high scholarship with practical application. When AASA puts out the list of the exemplary superintendent preparation programs in the United States, WSU is always included. WSU is one of the six top schools in the U.S. for preparing superintendents,” stated Joseph Schneider, deputy executive director of the American Association of School Administrators.
Tri-Cities superintendent certification program graduates:
–Othene Bell, executive director, Kennewick S.D.
–Jean Lane, assistant superintendent, Richland S.D.
–Rom Castilleja, executive director, Richland
–Suzanne Feeney, superintendent, Finley S.D.
–Gerry Ringwood, director, Tri-Tech Skills Center (Kennewick)
–Kevin Chase, superintendent, Mabton S.D.
–Sally Storm, administrator, ESD 123
–George Juarez, superintendent, Othello S.D.
–Mark Heid, superintendent, Dixie S.D.
–Tim Payne, superintendent, College Place S.D.
–Dottie Stevens, assistant executive director, Kennewick S.D.
–Carol Pacheco, administrator, ESD 123
–Dianan Patitucci, administrator, Othello S.D.
–Steve Myers, assistant superintendent, Toppenish S.D.
–Tim Davison, curriculum director, Toppenish S.D.
–Mike Kirby, superintendent, North Franklin S.D.
–Rosemarie Search, assistant superintendent, Othello S.D.
–Dave Bond, principal, Kamiakin High School, Kennewick S.D.
–Irene Gonzales, principal, Walla Walla S.C.
–John Cerna, principal, Toppenish High School
–Barbara Mannion, associate principal, Pasco High School
–Chris Martinson, director of technology, Pasco S.D.
–Ric Palmer, superintendent, Bickleton S.D.
–Brynn Matsen, assistant superintendent, Mabton S.D.
–Ben Small, assistant superintendent, Columbia Burbank S.D.
–Matt Mathew, assistant principal, Grandview S.D.
–Willie Stone, director of educational services, Pasco S.D.
Yakima superintendent certification program graduates:
–Cheryl Mayo, assistant superintendent, Yakima S.D.
–Jane Gutting, superintendent, ESD 105
–Rick Doehle, superintendent, Naches Valley S.D.
–Glenn Johnson, superintendent, Highland S.D.
–John Schieche, superintendent East Valley S.D.
–Steve Smith, principal, West Valley S.D.
–Sandra Sheldon, assistant superintendent, Ellensburg S.D.
–Delcine Mesa-Johnson, assistant superintendent, Wahluke S.D.
–Paul Farris, principal, Ellensburg High School
–Gary Masten, principal, West Valley S.D.
–Mark Lyons, assistant superintendent, East Valley S.D.
–Peter Finch, assistant superintendent, West Valley S.D.
