Lake Washington School District Board announces Dr. Traci Pierce as preferred candidate for Superintendent

Dr. Traci Pierce

In last night's Lake Washington School District public business meeting, the school board announced Dr. Traci Pierce, PhD as their preferred candidate.  According to Director Kathryn Reith, the actual hiring vote won't take place until later in the spring.

A letter by School Board member Dr. Chris Carlson was read by the Board, announcing his reasoning for hiring an internal candidate - not losing momentum was key.  Dr. Carlson was not in attendance.

Dr. Carlson and Ravi Shahani said "hiring a superintendent was the only most important decision they make."  Senior school board member Doug Eglington said "six hours were spent interviewing the candidate as a Board" and "the board has done it's due diligence."  Doug stated there is "no statutory process for hiring a superintendent" and emphasized their "process was transparent."  Read More >>


President Jackie Pendergrass reiterated the significant time put into the interviews - "two interviews as a group and one-on-one."  Broad talks with the school community and administration, plus the 1700 person survey led her to believe the community was "asking for stability and a fast learning curve".  The Board noted an external candidate search would take the district up to two years to ramp up.

Pendergrass said  "meet and greets" with Traci will begin towards the end of January and early February.  Mayors in various cities have extended invitations and the community and administration will have time to hear from her and give feedback.

After the Board announced Traci Pierce Lake Washington District's next Superintendent, she gave a short speech saying "I am ready. I feel honored, ready and prepared."  Dr. Pierce said she has 17 years experience in the District including 8-plus year's working in the Administration's central office. "I'm committed to the mission and vision of the district....." [Her speech can be found in the video archives].

Board member Ravi Shahani said Traci was "a very strong candidate, rising quickly" within the Administration.  In her eight years at central district headquarters, Traci was promoted from "Coordinator of Instructional Technology," to "Chief Schools Officer" (2007-2010) and in 2010, "Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services."  

In her current Deputy Superintendent position, Traci is running one of Kimball's three "Support Teams."   She is responsible for 10 departments, including:  high school support, curriculum, AP,  special needs, assessment and reporting, instructional support and athletics.  Deputy Superintendent Forgard runs the Operations team.  John Vaille is Assistant Superintendent, Technology Services.  Read the 2011-2012 Organizational Chart for the entire central office layout.

According to "2006 Leadership and Learning," Traci served as Coordinator of Instructional Technology for Lake Washington, and prior to joining the central office team served as Principal of Inglewood Junior High for two years and as Assistant Principal for two years. In addition to her administrative experience, she served as a district level Instructional Technology Staff  Development Specialist, and as a building level Athletic Director and Activities Coordinator.

Traci's teaching experience includes 8th and 9th grade Language Arts and Social Studies and Student Leadership.  She graduated from University of Washington with a Teacher Certificate and Bachelor of Arts in English.  Traci received a Master of Education / Principal Certification and Educational Leadership from City University.  Dr. Pierce graduated  from University of Washington with a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (2006-2009).

Report By Bob Yoder
Photo courtesy of LWSD
Sources:  12/5/2011 School Board Public Business Meeting, LWSD website, 2006 "Leadership for Learning" website.  Linked-In.  Communications Director Kathryn Reith

Article:  "School Board could still look at other candidates for Superintendent" 12/8