Superintendent finalists named

District names superintendent finalist candidates

WALLA WALLA, Friday, February 19, 2016 -- Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors named Dr. Kent Kultgen, Dr. Molly Ringo and Mr. Wade Smith as the three finalists to compete for the open superintendent position. The superintendent finalist candidates will return to the district February 29, March 1 and 2 for full-day meet and greet sessions with staff and the community at the district office boardroom and then conduct follow-up interviews with the school board. Current Superintendent Dr. Bill Jordan is retiring June 30, 2016. The new superintendent will assume the duties of the position July 1, 2016.

Finalist Candidates Professional Highlights

Dr. Kent Kultgen, Superintendent – Helena School District; Helena, MT

Dr. Kultgen has been Superintendent in the Helena School District since 2012. He was also Superintendent of the Stevensville Schools, Stevensville, MT and Choteau Schools, Choteau, MT. He has 11 years of experience as a Social Studies teacher in Choteau Middle and High Schools and Hindale School, grades 7-12. He received his Doctorate and Master’s Degrees from Montana State University and his undergraduate degree from Northern Montana College. He is a Helena Chamber of Commerce board member and is active in the Helena Rotary Club.

Dr. Molly Ringo, Asst. Superintendent for Teaching and Learning – Everett Public Schools; Everett, WA

Dr. Ringo has been Assistant Superintendent for K-12 Education in the Everett School District since 2012. She has also served as Executive Director for K-12 Education and Human Resources for Everett during her tenure. She has also been the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Student Learning and Executive Director of Personnel for the Puyallup School District. Other administrative assignments include Director of Curriculum for the Highline School District and Elementary principal assignments in the Auburn School District and Corvallis School District. She has special education teaching experience in Oregon. Dr. Ringo received her Doctorate degree from Columbia University and Master’s Degree in Special Education from Portland State University and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Oregon State University. She completed her undergraduate studies in elementary education at Oregon State University. She is active in the Everett Public Schools Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Snohomish County and the Snohomish County YMCA.

Wade Smith, Deputy Superintendent – Hermiston School District, Hermiston, OR

Mr. 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 Co- chairman of the Hermiston Futures Task Force.

Meet the Superintendent Candidates Public Forums

• Dr. Molly Ringo - Monday, February 29 - 5 to 6:15 p.m. (District boardroom 364 S. Park St.)
• Dr. Kent Kultgen - Tuesday, March 1 - 5 to 6:15 p.m. (District boardroom 364 S. Park St.)
• Wade Smith - Wednesday, March 2 - 5 to 6:15 p.m. (District boardroom 364 S. Park St.)

For more information, contact Communications Director Mark Higgins at 509.526.6716 or by e-mail at: mhiggins@wwps.org.