The Vancouver school board announced the names of four school district leaders selected as finalists in its search for a new superintendent. All finalists will be part of a forum-style interview over Zoom at 6 p.m. Tuesday, as part of a webinar for community members to meet and learn more about the finalists.
The finalists are:
Karen Cheser
Superintendent, Fort Thomas (Ky.) Independent Schools
Cheser has been superintendent of Fort Thomas Independent Schools in northern Kentucky since 2017. Her career in education spans 32 years in Kentucky as a teacher, instructional supervisor, principal, director of curriculum, director of teaching and learning, assistant superintendent and deputy superintendent. Cheser holds a bachelor’s and master’s in education, and a doctorate of education, all from Northern Kentucky University.
Kenneth (Chris) Hurst
Superintendent, Othello School District
Hurst has been superintendent of the Othello School District since 2016. He is a former U.S. Marine who spent most of his career in education in California as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and associate superintendent. Hurst holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science and master’s in educational leadership and administration from California State University, San Marcos, and a doctorate of education from the University of Southern California.
Hector Rico
Director of diversity, equity and inclusion, Pacific Collegiate School, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Rico recently joined the Pacific Collegiate School as its director of diversity, equity and inclusion. He has a 30-year education background at the classroom, local, district and state levels, including a tenure at the California Department of Education and superintendent of the Alisal Unified School District from 2016-19. Rico holds a bachelor’s in Latin American studies from University of California, Santa Barbara, a master’s in education from Azusa Pacific University and a doctorate of education from University of California, Berkeley.
Jeff Snell
Superintendent, Camas School District
Snell is in his 10th year in the Camas School District, and fifth as superintendent. He spent 15 years in Vancouver Public Schools as a teacher, associate principal and principal at McLoughlin Middle School and Fort Vancouver High School. He became deputy superintendent of the Camas School District in 2011. Snell holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from Boston University, and master’s of education and a doctorate of education from Washington State University.
— Meg Wochnick
CANDIDATES WEBINAR
Tuesday’s webinar can be found at https://vansd.zoom.us/j/86142411158.
It also will be recorded and posted on the district’s website.
