Enumclaw School Board Selects Dr. Mark Wenzel As Next Superintendent (Photo) - 05/14/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2026

Enumclaw School Board Selects Dr. Mark Wenzel as Next Superintendent

ENUMCLAW, Wash. — The Enumclaw School District Board of Directors announced tonight that Dr. Mark Wenzel has been selected as the district’s next superintendent, pending formal contract approval.

The Board announced its unanimous decision during a special board meeting on Thursday, May 14, following an executive session for board deliberation.

Mark Wenzel is an accomplished educational leader with more than 25 years of experience across U.S. public school systems and international schools, known for his ability to strengthen community trust, elevate teaching and learning, and build cohesive, high-performing organizations. His leadership reflects a systems-oriented mindset paired with a strong commitment to student well-being and continuous improvement. Mark brings deep roots in Washington State alongside a broad perspective shaped by leadership experiences across multiple countries.

“Selecting a superintendent is one of the most important responsibilities of a school board, and we approached this decision with great care,” said Board President Tyson Gamblin. “Dr. Wenzel brings extensive superintendent experience, a strong background in community engagement and a clear commitment to teaching, learning and organizational leadership. We are excited to welcome him to Enumclaw School District.”

The Board’s decision follows a comprehensive superintendent search process facilitated by Northwest Leadership Associates, the executive search firm retained by the Board to support the search. The district received 25 applications for the position. After careful review, the Board selected six candidates for preliminary interviews before advancing two finalists to the final stage of the process.

Community input played a central role throughout the search. Feedback from the Leadership Profile Survey, stakeholder focus groups, a community input session, finalist forums and online feedback opportunities helped guide the Board’s decision-making and identify the leadership qualities, experience and priorities most important to students, staff, families and community members.

During the finalist process, Dr. Wenzel spent a full day in the district meeting with principals, student leaders, staff, union representatives and district leaders, as well as touring schools and district facilities. Community members, staff and families were also invited to participate in a public forum and provide feedback to the Board.

Dr. Wenzel served as superintendent of Anacortes School District from 2013 to 2020, where his leadership included strengthening community engagement, supporting labor-management relationships, securing philanthropic support and passing a $90 million capital bond that supported construction of a new high school and major facility upgrades. He also previously served as superintendent of Methow Valley School District, where he launched the district’s first technology levy and helped establish a 1:1 learning environment.

Most recently, Dr. Wenzel has held senior leadership roles with Cognita Asia Schools Group, including superintendent of Stamford American International School in Singapore and regional director of education overseeing instructional quality and leadership development across schools in Singapore, India, Vietnam, Thailand and Hong Kong.

Dr. Wenzel began his career as a classroom teacher and also served as communications director for Bethel School District. He holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington, a Master of Science from the London School of Economics, a Master of Arts from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Arts from Earlham College.

“The Board is grateful to the students, families, staff and community members who shared their perspectives throughout this process,” Gamblin said. “Your input helped shape this decision and will continue to support a strong transition for the district’s next superintendent.”

The superintendent contract is expected to be considered by the Board at its May 18 regular board meeting. The new superintendent contract is expected to begin July 1, 2026.

More information about the superintendent search process is available on the district’s Superintendent Search webpage.

Enumclaw School Board Announces Superintendent Finalists (Photo) - 05/01/26

ENUMCLAW, Wash. , The Enumclaw School District Board of Directors is pleased to announce two finalists for the district’s next superintendent: Dr. Wade Barringer and Dr. Mark Wenzel.
 

The announcement follows a comprehensive search process facilitated by Northwest Leadership Associates (NWLA), the executive search firm retained by the Board to support a national superintendent search. The district received 25 applications for the position. After careful review, the Board selected six candidates for preliminary interviews and is now advancing two highly qualified finalists to the next phase of the process.

Throughout the search, the Board has used community input to guide its decision-making, including feedback from the Leadership Profile Survey, stakeholder focus groups, and the community input session held earlier this spring.

“Selecting a superintendent is one of the most important responsibilities of a school board, and we have taken that responsibility seriously,” said Board President Tyson Gamblin. “We are grateful to the students, families, staff, and community members who shared their perspectives and helped shape the leadership profile for our next superintendent. Their input has been central to this process.”

The Board is excited to bring forward two candidates who reflect the qualities identified as important by the Enumclaw School District community. “Both finalists have also expressed genuine enthusiasm for becoming part of our community and living within the district,” Gamblin said.
 

Meet the Superintendent Finalists

Dr. Wade Barringer

Wade Barringer joined the Kent School District in 2004 after earning his PhD in Educational Administration from WSU. He served as an Assistant Principal from 2004 to 2007 and Principal of Kent-Meridian HS from 2007 to 2018. During his time as principal, Barringer earned his Superintendent’s Credential (2013), became a nationally certified Principal Mentor (2012), and Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) Mentor Principal (2015).

In 2018, Barringer transitioned to the Kent School District’s central office leadership team as an Executive Director, where he supervised 18 principals from 2018 to 2020. From 2020 to 2023, Barringer served as the Interim Chief of Human Resources, Senior Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Operations, and Associate Superintendent of Strategic Initiatives and Operations.

He has been Deputy Superintendent since July 1, 2023, and currently serves as a board director for Communities in Schools of South King County, Covington Chamber of Commerce board director, Kent International Festival Board Vice President, Kent Schools Foundation ex-officio member, and the Lake Meridian Association Director.

Wade is married to Stephanie Barringer, principal of Meridian Elementary School. His son, Ronan attends WSU and daughter, Thea is a student in the Aerospace Manufacturing Leadership Academy at Skills Inc. They are active community members and enjoy family time, movies, travel, home renovations and the outdoors.

Dr. Mark Wenzel

Mark Wenzel is an accomplished educational leader with more than 25 years of experience in U.S. public school systems and international schools. Known for strengthening community trust, elevating teaching and learning, and building cohesive organizations, he brings deep Washington roots and a global perspective to his leadership.

From 2013 to 2020, Wenzel served as superintendent of the Anacortes School District, a high-performing Washington district of 2,700 students. His tenure included strong community engagement, improved labor relations, philanthropic support, and passage of a $90 million bond, the district's first in nearly two decades, supporting construction of a new high school. The district also earned state recognition for closing learning gaps and increasing graduation rates.

Previously, he served as superintendent of the Methow Valley School District, where he led technology and curriculum innovations, including world language expansion and a 1:1 technology environment. Most recently, Wenzel held senior leadership roles with an international school network in Asia, including superintendent of a large P-12 school in Singapore and regional director overseeing instructional quality and leadership development across multiple schools.

Wenzel began his career as a classroom teacher at the middle school, high school, and college levels, and later served six years as communications director for Bethel School District. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Washington, along with graduate degrees from UW and the London School of Economics. He is a longtime Lions and Rotary member.

Mark and his wife Julie, a licensed mental health counselor, share a household kept lively by their three kids: Ruby, a high schooler and hip hop dancer, and Eli and Finn, middle schoolers and dedicated baseball and basketball players.

Finalist Visits and Public Forums

Each finalist will spend a full day meeting with principals, student leaders, staff, union representatives, and district leaders, as well as touring schools and district facilities.
 

The community is invited and encouraged to attend the finalist public forums:
 

Dr. Wade Barringer
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Enumclaw High School Media Center
226 Semanski Street South, Enumclaw, WA 98022
 

Dr. Mark Wenzel
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Enumclaw High School Media Center
226 Semanski Street South, Enumclaw, WA 98022
 

Both forums will also be livestreamed via virtual webinar. The webinar link will be posted on the district’s website.
 

Community members, staff, and families are invited to submit questions for the finalists in advance. Questions must be submitted by Friday, May 8, 2026, at 4 p.m. Submitted questions will be reviewed and may be incorporated into the staff and community forums, which will be facilitated by NWLA.
 

During each forum, attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback through a QR code and an online link. This feedback will help inform the Board as it moves toward a final decision.

The Board anticipates announcing its decision on May 14, 2026, with the new superintendent contract expected to begin July 1, 2026.
 

Additional information about the superintendent search process, finalists, public forums, question submission, and feedback opportunities is available on the district’s Superintendent Search webpage: https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/page/superintendent-search.