CV Makes Stanley Permanent Acting Superintendent Picked To Lead Largest Valley District

The Central Valley School Board ended its search for a superintendent Thursday, naming Wally Stanley to head the largest school district in the Spokane Valley.

Stanley, 51, served as acting superintendent for the last seven months.

“I am exhilarated at the prospect and humbled by your faith in me,” Stanley told the board members.

The board received 55 applications in a nationwide search and expected to name its new superintendent by April 1.

“But we felt as though we had the very best candidate right here in our own district,” said Cynthia McMullen, board chairman. The board’s vote to offer Stanley the job was unanimous.

He will be offered a three-year contract. His pay is not yet negotiated but will be between $90,000 and $100,000 a year, McMullen said.

Under Stanley’s watch, the district last month passed its first successful construction bond in eight years.

His hands-on, approachable style won him many fans in the district. He regularly tours the district’s 21 schools, stopping in each classroom to chat with students and teachers. Central Valley has 11,000 students.

One principal, Dave Bouge at North Pines Junior High, said recently, “I would love to see him get the position. In the last six or seven months, a wind of change has swept across Central Valley in a very positive way.”

The district hired PNR Associates, a national search firm, and has paid PNR $12,300 to $14,500, plus expenses.

Stanley has said his priorities are to get the Liberty Lake elementary school built and oversee the other bond projects; update the district’s strategic plan; and prepare for continuing growth.

He joined the district in 1967 as a speech therapist.

, DataTimes