Criticized Richland school superintendent is stepping down
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Shelley Redinger plans to leave Richland on June 30, 2027, at contract end.
- Board declined a contract extension amid district fiscal troubles and culture issues.
- District serves about 13,800 students across 21 schools; Redinger earned $225,600.
Superintendent Shelley Redinger plans to leave her post as leader of the Richland School District in summer 2027.
The announcement was made in emails and letters sent out to staff and parents this week, the Tri-City Herald has confirmed. She’ll leave at the end of her current contract, which expires June 30, 2027.
Redinger said she has “decided not to seek a contract extension and will pursue other opportunities,” according to a Friday letter to families.
Nearly six months ago, the school board declined a routine extension of her contract amid the district’s serious financial woes.
At the time, they said they needed to see improvements in the fiscal health and school culture. Nearly a year after painful cuts to the district started, the district has found itself on steadier financial footing.
Redinger, 58, came to the helm of Richland schools in August 2020. Since then, she’s led the district through its COVID pandemic response, a major cyber incident, and the shooting death of a paraeducator at Wiley Elementary School.
“Through each of these moments, the resilience of our students, staff and families has been remarkable. Because of our collective perseverance, Richland School District is on solid footing and moving in a positive direction,” she wrote.
She got her start in education in the district in the 1990s, and worked 13 years as a teacher, principal and administrator.
She served as superintendent of the Oregon Trail School District in Sandy, Ore., and Spotsylvania School District in Fredericksburg, Va., before coming back to the Northwest.
Redinger led Spokane Public Schools for eight years — where she expanded choice programs for families and passed a $495 million capital bond project — before coming home to Richland. She departed with two years left on that contract.
Redinger says she believes the timing is right to “thoughtfully transition leadership and allow the next superintendent to build on this momentum.” District administrators, the school board and community will be tasked with finding her replacement.
“Until my tenure is complete, I remain fully committed to serving our students, staff and families, and to ensuring the district continues to be well-positioned for long-term success,” she wrote.
Richland School District serves nearly 13,800 students across 21 elementary, middle, high school and choice schools.
Redinger earned a base salary of about $225,600 last school year.
This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.
This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 12:53 PM.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story included incorrect information about Redinger’s contract with Spokane Public Schools. It expired in 2022, not 2020.
