Superintendent candidate finalist Chris Fritsch has been selected as the next superintendent of Castle Rock School District. The decision was made at the most recent Board Meeting on April 24, 2024 in a unanimous 5-0 board vote in favor of his selection. Prior to the selection, candidates spent the day in interviews with staff, students, and community members.
“We are confident that Chris’s highly qualified and versatile leadership will move our district forward and enhance the educational experience for our students,” remarked Vilas Sundberg, Board Chair.
Fritsch, who led the Pendleton School District as Superintendent from 2017 to 2022, brings a wealth of experience from various teaching and leadership roles, including principal in Ocean Shores School District and over 20 years in Longview Public Schools as a teacher, coach, principal, and assistant superintendent. During his tenure at Pendleton, Fritsch forged partnerships for comprehensive student support, emphasizing safety and success for all. He oversaw the creation of an elementary afterschool program with the local Parks and Recreation department, collaborated with Blue Mountain Community College to establish college campus visits, and created a counseling position that worked closely with the high school’s student assistance program.
“It is an honor to be chosen to lead the Castle Rock School District,” Fritsch said. “I look forward to the opportunities before me. I am committed to providing our students and staff a safe and caring culture where all feel they belong and are valued.”
Fritsch has also been active in various activities and community groups throughout his career, including as an active member of the Pendleton Rotary and serving on the Pendleton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the city’s Progress Board. He currently volunteers for PeaceHealth in Longview. Fritsch and his wife, Susie, have four grown children and nine grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors, gardening, and college football.
Fritsch will assume his duties as superintendent effective July 1, 2024.
***Following an extensive search process, two finalist candidates, Chris Fritsch and Dr. James Shank, have been selected; Final interviews to be held 4/24/2024**
In a special meeting on Saturday, April 20, the Castle Rock School District Board of Directors named two finalists in the district’s search for a new superintendent.
The two finalist candidates are:
- Chris Fritsch, who led the Pendleton School District as superintendent from 2017 to 2022, brings a wealth of experience from various teaching and leadership roles, including principal in Ocean Shores and over 20 years in Longview as a teacher, coach, principal, and assistant superintendent.
- Dr. James Shank served as superintendent in Idaho Falls and most recently in North Beach for a combined 15 years. He has a diverse background in education, including roles as a special education teacher, principal, and director of special education. Shank is a native of Longview.
The selections followed an extensive community engagement process that included an online survey with over 200 respondents and focus groups that included all levels of staff, families, students, and community leaders and members.
The board will conduct final interviews with the two candidates on April 24, 2024 and plans to appoint the new superintendent to start on July 1, 2024.
The board began interviewing semi-finalists for the position of superintendent on April 20, 2024, narrowing a pool of applicants down to the two finalists. The finalists, selected from a highly qualified and experienced candidate pool, are Chris Fritsch, former Superintendent of Pendleton School District, and Dr. James Shank, Superintendent of North Beach School District.
“Meeting such qualified candidates who align so closely with our district’s values and priorities has been a true pleasure,” said Vilas Sundberg, Castle Rock Board Chair. “Each candidate brought a unique set of skills and experiences, yet our finalists stood out as embodying the qualities most valued by our staff, families, and community members in Castle Rock School District’s next leader.”
For more information, please visit our website at https://www.crschools.org/school_board/ or join us on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 4:15 & 5:00 at Castle Rock Middle School and meet each candidate.