CVSD selects superintendent
The Central Valley School District selected Ben Small, superintendent of the Columbia School District in Burbank, Wash., to replace retiring superintendent Mike Pearson.
The district’s board of directors met Friday morning and voted unanimously to hire Small. “All of the finalists had tremendous abilities and talents,” said board member Keith Clark. “(Small) has the energy and the vision.”
“I’m honored and excited,” Small said. “There’s good, hard work to do. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”
Small has been superintendent of the Columbia School District since 2003 and was the district’s executive director for teaching and learning for the year prior. He was the Columbia Middle School principal beginning in 1996 and was a middle school teacher and administrative intern in the Walla Walla School District for six years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in school administration, both from Eastern Washington University.
Board member Cindy McMullen said she was pleased with the other finalists, which included Donald “Mick” Miller of Deer Park and Pete Lewis of Clarkston, but that Small rose to the top. “They all have strengths our district would benefit from, “she said. “I was impressed by all three in different ways.”
Education is changing and Small will lead the district to the next level, said board member Anne Long. “Ben Small has a vision and an excitement and an enthusiasm,” she said. “I think what we’re looking for it the connection, to connect with district personnel and connect with the community.”
Board member Debra Long was impressed with what she saw when Small visited Greenacres Middle School as part of the interview process. “He really didn’t care what the adults had to say,” she said. “He was interested in the kids.”
Board president Tom Dingus said the community comments collected by the board were pretty evenly split among the three candidates. “We did read every page,” said Anne Long.
Some who commented expressed concern that the candidates came from small districts, Anne Long said, but skilled people are always moving up to positions at bigger districts. Small said he heard that question often during the interview process. The Columbia School District has 960 students compared to roughly 12,000 in Central Valley.
“I believe I have the leadership skills to bridge that gap and move forward,” he said.
The new hire is contingent on contract negotiations and a final background check. The decision is expected to be finalized at the district’s next board meeting at April 28.
Small’s hire makes him the third new superintendent in the area this year. Last week East Valley hired John Glenewinkel from the Ellensburg School District and Spokane Public Schools recently hired Nancy Stowell, who had been the interim superintendent since Brian Benzel retired last year.