KENNEWICK, Wash. – The search for the next superintendent of the Kennewick School District (KSD) enters the interview stage next week.
Preliminary interviews for the six candidates selected by the board of directors begins Tuesday, January 24, according to a KSD release.
The public is invited to observe the interview process and provide written feedback to the board on each candidate.
Once the preliminary interviews are complete, staff, students and the community will have the opportunity to interview the finalists February 4-6.
The board will make a final decision during its executive session February 7. The announcement is tentatively scheduled for February 10. The new superintendent starts June 1, the release said.
The search for the next superintendent follows the announcement by Dr. Traci Pierce to retire at the end of the school year.
Here is the interview schedule followed by candidate bios:
Tuesday, January 28
5:30 p.m. – Dr. Joseph Castilleja
6:30 p.m. – Mr. Matthew Mallery
7:30 p.m. – Dr. Christopher Nesmith
Thursday, January 30
5:30 p.m. – Dr. Davion Lewis
6:30 p.m. – Dr. William Fritz
7:30 p.m. – Mr. Lance Hansen
Candidate Bios
Dr. Joseph Castilleja
Dr. Joseph Castilleja most recently served as the Superintendent of the Mabton School District in Washington, since July 2018. The district has an enrollment of 800 students, employs 120 staff members and an annual budget of $15,066,836.
Dr. Castilleja’s career in education includes serving as a principal in the Mt. Adams School District and an elementary teacher in the Sunnyside School District. Since 2008, he has also worked as a performance improvement consultant through GeniusCoach.com. Earlier roles include teaching high school in the Manson School District.
Dr. Castilleja also served as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the Washington National Guard from 1999 to 2024.
His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Performance Improvement from Capella University, a Master of Education in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Jones International University, a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Eastern Washington University, and an Associate Degree from Air University (U.S. Air Force).
Matthew Mallery
Matthew Mallery has served as the superintendent of Mary M. Knight School District in Elma, Washington, since July 2019. The district has approximately 900 students, 40 employees, and an annual operating budget of $20 million.
His previous roles include executive director of human resources and executive director of state and federal programs in the Grandview School District. He has also worked as a middle school principal, assistant principal, high school assistant principal in Moses Lake School District, and teacher in Rainier School District.
He holds a master’s in education from the University of Portland and a bachelor’s in music from Washington State University.
Dr. Christopher Nesmith
Dr. Christopher Nesmith has been the superintendent of Elma School District in Washington since July 2021. The district has a student population of 1,700, employs 300 staff, and operates with a $31 million annual budget.
His career includes roles as executive director of innovation, freshman campus principal, assistant principal, and CTE director in the West Valley School District. He also taught computer science and business in Shelton School District.
Dr. Nesmith earned an Ed. D. in Educational Leadership from Washington State University, a master’s in education from the University of Washington, a bachelor’s in business education from Central Washington University, and an associate degree from Clark College.
Dr. Davion Lewis
Dr. Davion Lewis has been the assistant superintendent of student services at South Bend Community School Corporation in South Bend, Indiana, since August 2022. The district serves 15,442 students, employs over 3,000 staff, and has an annual budget of $198 million.
His prior positions include executive director of support and improvement in New Orleans Public Schools, executive director/superintendent at The RISE Schools in Georgia, and director of school and district partnerships at New Classroom in New Jersey. He has also worked as dean/assistant principal at KIPP LA Schools, associate executive director at Community Change Inc., and program manager with the New York City Department of Education.
Dr. Lewis holds a Ph. D. in Curriculum Instruction and the Science of Learning from the University of Buffalo, an MBA from Clayton State University, and a bachelor’s in history from Bethune-Cookman University.
Dr. William Fritz
Dr. William Fritz has been the superintendent of Knappa School District in Astoria, Oregon, since 2020. The district has a student population of 500, with 81 employees and an $8 million operating budget.
Dr. Fritz has held roles including associate professor of teacher education at Bushnell University, assistant superintendent for human resources in Indian River County, Florida, and HR director at Shoreline Public Schools. He has also been a middle school principal, high school assistant principal, and secondary math teacher.
He earned a Ph. D. in Educational Leadership from Northwest Nazarene University, a master’s in education from Seattle Pacific University, and a bachelor’s in education from Western Washington University.
Lance Hansen
Lance Hansen has served as superintendent of the Lewiston Independent School District in Idaho since 2021. The district has 4,500 students, 650 employees, and an annual operating budget of $70 million.
His previous roles include assistant superintendent, high school principal, and high school assistant principal in the same district. He also taught in Moscow School District and Emmett Independent School District.
He holds a master’s in educational leadership, and a bachelor’s in Spanish and math, all from the University of Idaho.