District Announces Series Of Administrative Promotions (Photo) -03/25/22

WALLA WALLA - Walla Walla Public Schools announces the district will see new faces in different leadership roles next school year as it adjusts to retirements and changing administrative needs.

Walla Walla High School Assistant Principal Mindy Meyer has been promoted to Director of Human Resources. Meyer has been employed with Walla Walla Public Schools as a teacher and administrator spanning 31 years and has served in her current role for 12 years. Meyer will assume her new position July 1 as she replaces current Human Resources Director Liz Campeau who is retiring.

Pioneer Middle School Assistant Principal Rob Ahrens will return back to Walla Walla High School to assume Meyer’s former position. Ahrens spent 19 years as a Science teacher at Walla Walla High School, is a graduate of Wa-Hi and was a recent finalist for the Wa-Hi Principal position.

Walla Walla High School Assistant Principal Stacy Estes will transfer to Pioneer Middle School to assume Ahrens’ former position. Estes has been employed in the district for 11 years. He spent nine years as Assistant Principal of McLoughlin Middle School in Pasco prior to coming to Walla Walla. The district will seek internal candidates to fill Estes’ vacant position at Walla Walla High School.

Special Education Director Libby Thompson is moving to Walla Walla High School to direct high school special education programs after serving seven years in her current role. In her new administrative position of Wa-Hi Special Education/504 Supervisor, Thompson will supervise high school special education teachers, monitor Individual Education and 504 plans, evaluate programs and support community engagement partnerships.

“Under Libby’s leadership, performance has improved, collaboration with community partners has been enhanced, and she has helped steward remarkable strides in our inclusionary efforts,” said Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith. “While she has truly enjoyed her time as director, in recent months she has expressed a deepening interest in returning to a position that gets her closer to kids and her passion working with high school students, faculty and their families.”

Prospect Point Elementary Principal Barbara Casey has been promoted to Director of Special Education beginning July 1. Casey has been employed by Walla Walla Public Schools for 15 years and has extensive experience in special education as a classroom teacher and behavior specialist. On Monday the district will be posting the Prospect Point principal position and conduct a comprehensive and inclusive search process.

Superintendent Smith says these administrative promotions and new assignments will help ensure the district continues to realize its vision of Developing Washington’s Most Sought-After Graduates.

“We are blessed to have been able to grow and develop exceptional staff and leaders within our own system,” said Dr. Smith. “We have former paras who are now serving as remarkable teachers - teachers who have become exceptional principals - and principals who have advanced their leadership and now maintain districtwide roles in the central office. It is rewarding to lead a district that not only cultivates, but values individual growth and opportunity, and I’m excited to see them shine in their new roles.”

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