Redmond, Wash. – At its December 5 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Lake Washington School District unanimously voted to put forward Dr. Traci Pierce, the district’s deputy superintendent, instructional services, as its preferred candidate for superintendent. The board will introduce Dr. Pierce to the community through a series of public events and will ask for input on her candidacy. A calendar of events and timing for a final vote on hiring will be determined after the holidays. The successful candidate will replace the departing Dr. Chip Kimball, who becomes superintendent of the Singapore American School on July 1.

In making this decision, board members stressed the need for continuity in the face of several major initiatives, including the change in grade configuration next fall and the creation of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math high school. Board President Jackie Pendergrass noted that as board members spoke to individuals around the district about the opening, what they heard the most was that “people want things we have going forward to take place without a hitch. Don’t lose that momentum.”

Several board members observed that Dr. Pierce has been leading many of these initiatives successfully. Board Member Nancy Bernard called her “the workhorse behind a lot of the initiatives we are moving forward.” She remarked that Dr. Pierce is very respected by those who work for her.

Board Member Doug Eglington described the board’s process. He said the board had reviewed the qualifications of the superintendent, the guidance the community provided in the results of a survey, and individually spoke to many in the district. The board held two lengthy interviews with Dr. Pierce.

Board Member Ravi Shahani stressed the thoroughness of their interviews with Dr. Pierce. He stated that as an internal candidate, she went through a more extensive interview process than would be possible with an outside candidate. “It weighs strongly in her favor that we have a good picture of her,” noted Shahani, who called her “a strong candidate.”

Dr. Kimball noted, “Personally I am thrilled with the decision of the board. Traci is talented, motivated, and cares deeply about students. She has experience as a classroom teacher, principal and district administrator. She has been in charge of a number of departments, most recently supervising all instructional services, including schools, as deputy superintendent. The Lake Washington School District will be in good hands under her leadership.”

Dr. Pierce began her career in Lake Washington School District teaching Language Arts and Social Studies at Inglewood Junior High in 1994. After six years in the classroom, she served as a district instructional technology staff development specialist for one year before returning to Inglewood as assistant principal. She was promoted to principal after just one year. Dr. Pierce returned to the central office to serve in several instructional leadership positions before being named chief schools officer in July 2007. Dr. Pierce has served as deputy superintendent, instructional services, since July 2010.

Dr. Pierce is a graduate of the University of Washington, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership at City University. She returned to the University of Washington to earn her Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

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About Lake Washington: Lake Washington School District is a high-performing public school district serving Kirkland, Redmond and Sammamish, Washington. It is the sixth largest district in the state of Washington, with over 24,000 students in 50 schools.