Candidates public meetings

Community invited to meet superintendent finalist candidates

WALLA WALLA - The Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors invites the community to meet the three finalists for the position of superintendent during public community meetings. Dr. Molly Ringo will be in the district Monday, February 29, Dr. Kent Kultgen - Tuesday, March 1 and Wade Smith - Wednesday, March 2. All of the community meetings are from 5 to 6:15 p.m. at the district boardroom -- 364 S. Park Street. Community members will have an opportunity to ask questions and complete feedback forms to share with the school board. Superintendent Dr. Bill Jordan is retiring June 30 and the new superintendent will begin July 1.

“Please join us and be part of the process as we find the superintendent who will be the best fit for Walla Walla Public Schools,” said School Board President Cindy Meyer.

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.

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