East Valley schools pick new superintendent

The East Valley School District has picked a new superintendent.

The EV board of directors emerged from a five-hour executive session Saturday afternoon to read a statement and quickly take a vote with no discussion. The vote was unanimous to offer a contract to John Glenewinkel, superintendent of the Ellensburg School District.

The decision is expected to be finalized at the board’s April 22 meeting.

“My wife and I are extremely excited,” Glenewinkel said Saturday. “We’re thrilled to be able to be a part of that community. I’m sure we’ll be able to reach a satisfactory contract agreement very quickly.”

Glenewinkel, who started as a teacher in Texas in 1987, has been superintendent of the 5,000-student Ellensburg district since 2005 and previously was superintendent in Republic, Wash., for four years. He did his undergraduate studies at Southwest Texas State University, where he also earned a master’s degree, and is a doctoral candidate at Washington State University.

Glenewinkel was among three finalists, including Debra Howard, East Valley’s interim superintendent.

“We reviewed all the candidates and felt he was the best match for our school district and our kids,” said board president Kerri Lunstruth. “We just thoroughly discussed all the candidates’ qualifications and the input we received from staff, students and the community. He was the best match for our district.”

Leslee McLachlan, president of the East Valley Education Association, said she and other teachers were impressed with Glenewinkel during last week’s preliminary interviews.

“As teachers, we felt that John responded in a way that gave us hope and made us feel comfortable,” she said. “He’s got a strong background in finance and a strong background in education. He’s very down to earth.”

In the past few years, the district has faced declining enrollment and budget problems. The board cut $1.8 million in staff and programs in early 2007.

Reduced spending and higher-than-expected enrollment has allowed the district to restore some of what was cut, including librarians and summer school.

The district’s former superintendent, Christine Burgess, retired in May.

EV is the second of three local school districts selecting superintendents this year. Spokane Public Schools recently hired Nancy Stowell, who had been the interim superintendent since Brian Benzel retired last year. Central Valley School District is interviewing finalists for superintendent.