Amy Ford Named Principal Of Berney Elementary (Photo) -01/24/25

WALLA WALLA, WA -- Walla Walla Public Schools is proud to announce that Amy Ford, a longtime educator and current Assistant Principal at Green Park Elementary, has been named Principal of Berney Elementary. Ford will officially begin her new role on July 1, following the upcoming departure of Principal Sarah Glover, who is relocating back to Spokane.

Ford's career in education spans an impressive 22 years, all within the Walla Walla School District. Her journey began as a fifth-grade teacher at Berney Elementary and evolved to include roles as a reading specialist at Edison Elementary and as Director of Walla Walla Online. In 2022, Ford was tapped to serve as Assistant Principal at Green Park Elementary.

"I have loved my time at Green Park, where I've developed a deep appreciation for the school's strong sense of community, its incredible students, and supportive families," said Ford. "I'm thrilled to now return to Berney Elementary as Principal, and I look forward to fostering a positive and collaborative learning environment for students and staff alike."

Throughout her career, Ford has been driven by a commitment to empowering teachers, supporting students' academic and social-emotional growth, and building strong relationships with families. "When teachers feel appreciated and supported, and when students feel valued and connected, amazing things happen in the classroom," Ford explained.

A native of Milton-Freewater, Ford holds a Bachelor's in Communication and a Master's in Education from Portland State University, as well as a Principal Certification from Eastern Washington University. She is also the proud mother of two teenage daughters who attend Walla Walla High School and are active in dance, cheer, and FFA.

When not working, Ford enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, golfing, and visiting Joseph, Oregon--one of her favorite destinations.

Bailey Hayes, who currently serves as an assistant principal, split between Prospect Point Elementary and Edison Elementary, will assume Ford's full-time position at Green Park next year.

The Walla Walla School District is excited to welcome Amy Ford into her new leadership role and is confident she will continue to inspire excellence and foster community at Berney Elementary.

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Walla Walla Public Schools Board Of Directors Special Meeting/School Board Retreat: January 27, 2025 -01/24/25

Supporting documents are available via the following link:  https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/997

Board of Directors Meeting Schedule & Information:  https://www.wwps.org/district/information/school-board/board-meeting-schedule

Input Needed! Superintendent Search Survey Now Open -01/23/25

WALLA WALLA - Walla Walla Public Schools is partnering with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) to conduct a nationwide search for our next superintendent. This follows the announcement by Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith that he will step down at the end of the school year, effective June 30, 2025.

The Superintendent Search process includes multiple opportunities for staff, students, parents, and community members to provide input. The first step is completing a brief survey to share your thoughts on the district's strengths, areas for improvement, and key leadership qualities needed in the next superintendent. HYA will compile this feedback and present it to the school board to inform their decision.

Survey Links:

• English: https://forms.gle/Juhf3NPuVVnMNqYHA
• Spanish: https://forms.gle/ZyHycinP4ivWaiyL8

(Survey Deadline: February 6, 2025)

Community Meetings

HYA will also host community meetings to share information about the search process and gather additional input. Your voice is essential in shaping the future of our district!

Details:

• Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
• Time: 5:30 -- 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Walla Walla High School
  • Commons (English)
  • Library (Spanish)

We encourage everyone to participate. Together, we can make a difference in finding the best leader for our schools.

Visit the district's Superintendent Search website to stay informed about this important process:

•  https://www.wwps.org/superintendentsearch

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Walla Walla Public Schools Board Of Directors Regular Business Meeting: January 21, 2025 -01/17/25

Supporting documents are available via the following link:  https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/997

Board of Directors Meeting Schedule & Information:  https://www.wwps.org/district/information/school-board/board-meeting-schedule

Walla Walla Public Schools Board Of Directors Special Meeting/Executive Session: January 21, 2025 -01/17/25

Supporting documents are available via the following link:  https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/997

Board of Directors Meeting Schedule & Information:  https://www.wwps.org/district/information/school-board/board-meeting-schedule

School Board Names Superintendent Search Consultant (Photo) -01/08/25

WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors has selected Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) of Arlington Heights, IL as the Superintendent Search consultant. This decision follows the announcement by current Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith to step down at the end of the school year, effective June 30.

The district will begin a comprehensive, national search for its next superintendent in the coming weeks, ensuring ample opportunities for staff, students, parents, and community members to provide input throughout this critical hiring process.

“This is an opportunity to engage the community in a deep conversation about its schools, as we seek the next leader who can build on the strong foundations that Dr. Smith leaves behind,” said School Board President Derek Sarley. “We look forward to hearing from all stakeholders in the coming weeks as part of our thorough public input process.”

Stay tuned for updates and details on how you can participate in shaping the future of Walla Walla Public Schools.

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Walla Walla Public Schools Board Of Directors Special Meeting: January 7, 2025 -01/06/25

Supporting documents are available via the following link:  https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/997
Board of Directors Meeting Schedule & Information:  https://www.wwps.org/district/information/school-board/board-meeting-schedul

Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith Announces Departure At End Of School Year (Photo) -01/06/25

WALLA WALLA - After nearly a decade at the district’s helm, Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith has informed the Walla Walla School Board of his decision to step down at the conclusion of the school year, effective June 30. He has accepted a consulting position with a prominent firm specializing in educational capital planning and professional services. Dr. Smith, who joined the district in 2016, played a pivotal role in shaping the district’s vision of “Developing Washington’s Most Sought-After Graduates.” 

“Through nine years of exceptional, principled leadership, Dr. Smith has left an indelible mark on our community and its schools,” said Derek Sarley, School Board President. “The Board is grateful for Dr. Smith's work and wishes him well in his next endeavor.”

Dr. Smith says serving the Walla Walla community over the past nine years has been one of the most rewarding roles of his professional career.

“I am incredibly proud of all we have accomplished together during this time,” said Superintendent Smith. “Our successes include closing achievement and graduation gaps, passing a historic bond and capital levy, enhancing numerous student programs, implementing two strategic plans, demonstrating sound financial management, and strengthening partnerships with families and stakeholders.”

Dr. Smith emphasized his commitment to supporting a smooth transition for his successor and expressed gratitude for the district’s remarkable school board, staff, students and community.

“Our district is well-positioned for its next superintendent to continue building upon our 167-year legacy of excellence,” he said. “I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and will do everything in my power to support the prosperity of my successor and that of our district’s outstanding school board, administration, faculty and students.”

Dr. Smith’s new position will allow him to remain in Walla Walla, a community he and his wife have grown to deeply love. As he transitions into his consulting role, he looks forward to continuing as an enthusiastic supporter of Walla Walla Public Schools and celebrating its future achievements.

The district will launch a comprehensive search for a new superintendent in the coming weeks, with opportunities for staff, student, parent and community input on this critical hiring process.

“It’s been almost 10 years since we’ve needed to find a superintendent,” said Sarley. “This is an opportunity to engage the community in a deep conversation about its hopes and dreams for our district’s schools, as we seek the next leader who can build on the strong foundations that Dr. Smith leaves behind.”

The board has two meetings scheduled this week to select a consultant to lead the search, after which the public input process will begin.   

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Walla Walla Public Schools Board Of Directors Special Meeting: January 6, 2025 -01/03/25

Supporting documents are available via the following link:  https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/997
Board of Directors Meeting Schedule & Information:  https://www.wwps.org/district/information/school-board/board-meeting-schedul