Kennewick schools names 3 finalists for next superintendent. When you can meet them
Kennewick schools could soon have a new superintendent.
The Kennewick School Board will interview three finalists for the position next week to determine who will lead the Tri-Cities’ largest school district, the district announced in a news release.
The finalists were narrowed down from a field of six interviewed this week.
The person selected will succeed Superintendent Traci Pierce, who’s set to retire June 30.
The board will interview finalists at 6 p.m. on Feb. 4, 5, and 6 at the Kennewick School District Administration Center, 1000 W. 4th Ave. Community members can attend to meet the finalists and ask questions.
Interview Schedule
- Tuesday, Feb. 4 – Davion Lewis
- Wednesday, Feb. 5 – Chris Nesmith
- Thursday, Feb. 6 – Lance Hansen
The board plans to make its selection by Feb. 7 and the new superintendent will begin work on July 1.
The contract and salary will be negotiated with the board.
Kennewick School District serves 19,000 full- and part-time students enrolled in 33 schools. About 52% are low-income and 42% identify as Hispanic. It’s also the city’s largest employer, with 3,500 staff and teachers under a $320 million budget.
Pierce joined Kennewick School District in 2019 after serving 24 years in the Lake Washington School District, the state’s second-largest school district.
She replaced former Kennewick Superintendent Dave Bond, who led the district for more than a decade. Her base salary during the 2023-24 school year was $188,300. During her tenure, Pierce oversaw the construction of the 2019 bond projects and new Kennewick High School, led the school district through the COVID pandemic, and expanded technical education opportunities for Tri-City students.
Christopher Nesmith
Most recent position: Superintendent of Elma School District since July 2021. Base salary in 2023-24 listed as $165,000.
The Elma School District is east of Olympia, in Grays Harbor County, the district enrolls about 1,700 students, employs 300 staff and teachers, and operates under a $31 million annual budget. Although 64% of its student population is reported as low-income, its high school graduation rate hovers around 92%.
Experience: He taught computer science and business in Shelton School District before taking various roles in the West Valley School District, including executive director of innovation, assistant principal and CTE director.
Education: Ed.D. in educational leadership from Washington State University; Master’s in education from University of Washington; Bachelor’s in business education from Central Washington University; Associate’s from Clark College.
Davion Lewis
Most recent position: Assistant superintendent of student services at South Bend Community School Corporation in South Bend, Ind. His salary is listed at $176,300.
The district is 90 miles east of Chicago and serves 15,400 students and employs 3,000 teachers and staff. Its annual budget is nearly $200 million. Located in north-central Indiana, the district is the largest and oldest in St. Joseph County and the state’s fourth largest.
Experience: His previous experience includes working as executive director of support and improvement in New Orleans Public Schools, superintendent at the charter RISE Schools near Atlanta, and director of school partnerships at New Classroom in New Jersey. He’s also worked as a dean at the charter KIPP LA Schools, associated executive director at Community Change Inc. and program manager with New York City Public Schools.
Education: Ph.D. in curriculum instruction and the science of learning from University of Buffalo; Master’s from Clayton State University; Bachelor’s in history from Bethune-Cookman University.
Lance Hansen
Most recent position: Superintendent of Lewiston Independent School District in Lewiston, Idaho, since 2021. His salary for the 2022-23 school year was listed at $155,000, per Idaho salary data.
The district has 4,500 students enrolled and 650 employees, with an annual operating budget of $70 million.
Experience: He taught in the Moscow School District and Emmett Independent School District before making the move to Lewiston. Before taking on the role of superintendent Hansen worked for many years as high school assistant principal, high school principal and assistant superintendent.
Education: Master’s in educational leadership from University of Idaho; Bachelor’s in Spanish and math from University of Idaho.