This summer, Southeastern Washington welcomed four new superintendents to Columbia, Dixie, Kennewick, and Richland school districts. Though their predecessors left behind great shoes to fill, our districts’ newest leaders are ready and willing to assume their new responsibilities.
Dr. Louis Gates – Columbia School District
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ESD 123 Welcomes 4 New Superintendents
Growing up in western Washington with a father as a teacher and administrator, Gates became familiar with the education world at an early age. Gates’ father served as his greatest influence growing up, and so it is no wonder that, despite his father’s love for teaching but admonitions about his short stint as a principal, Dr. Gates gradually managed to shift his college career toward the field of education.
He attended Walla Walla College, Southern Oregon State University, and finally the University of the Pacific where he received his doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction. In 1978, the passage of Proposition 13 in California played a life-changing role in Dr. Gates’ life, and eventually led him back to Washington to the Prosser School District.
As an avid outdoorsman, the Columbia Basin is a fine fit for Gates. Both Gates and his wife Debi are avid skiers, who also enjoy bicycling, trail hiking, and mountain climbing. Debi and Lou also have two grown children and look forward to grandchildren in the future. Dr. Gates proudly insists that raising two well-rounded children is his greatest accomplishment.
As superintendent of Columbia School District, Gates hopes to encourage a community and staff that collaboratively support promoting the full child. In the years to come, Gates hopes that Columbia School District may be seen as the district that “gives each child his or her own set of wings.”
Mark Wegner – Dixie School District
At the end of the 2007-2008 school year, Robbie Johnson left the role of Superintendent of Dixie School District in the able hands of Mark Wegner. Like Doctors Lane and Gates, Wegner is another Washington native who attributes a strong father-figure as his greatest influence.
Mark Wegner – Dixie School District
At the end of the 2007-2008 school year, Robbie Johnson left the role of Superintendent of Dixie School District in the able hands of Mark Wegner. Like Doctors Lane and Gates, Wegner is another Washington native who attributes a strong father-figure as his greatest influence.Born and raised in northwest Washington, Wegner and his family moved all around the state following his father’s ministry as a preacher. After attending Northwest Nazarene College and Lewis and Clark State College, Wegner went on to the University of Idaho to receive his master’s degree. It was not until he was nearly thirty years old when Wegner happened into a friend’s fourth grade classroom and decided to pursue a career in teaching.
Wegner is very gracious of the tremendous support that he has received after stepping into the role of superintendent at Dixie, and he is excited at his position’s opportunity to connect with both students and adults. The small community also presents a unique educational experience which Wegner feels is more capable of meeting the needs of both students and parents.
“I feel real fortunate being in such a unique setting with such helpful people,” says Wegner. “The support that I need and the district needs is definitely out there.”
Support (Wegner quickly is realizing), that is necessary for the many hats worn by a district superintendent.
Along with his “superintendent hat,” Wegner also wears the hat of husband to his wife Kristen, and father to their three children, and three children from a prior marriage (ages ranging from 28 to 2). The family enjoys spending time together in the outdoors, camping, and riding horses.
Wegner says that his greatest feelings of achievement come when helping students discover “that ah-ha moment.” In his new role as both an administrator and teacher, Wegner is enthusiastic to continue helping students make those connections while learning to believe in themselves, too.
David Bond – Kennewick
At the end of the 2007-2008 school year, Marlis Lindbloom retired from her position as Kennewick Superintendent, making way for David Bond to take the lead. Mr. Bond served the Richland School District from 1988 to 2001 before transferring to Kennewick. He has worked in the Kennewick School District since 2001; first as principal at Kamiakin High School (2001-2006), and then as the Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education (2006-2008). Looking back at his years in both districts, Bond is grateful for “the chance to work with some real top-notch people.”Bond grew up in Vancouver, Washington, and was fortunate enough to act as a teacher’s aide for one particularly influential teacher at Evergreen High School. This opportunity working with English Language Learners, or ELL students, and helping them learn to read, guided Bond into a career in teaching.
During college, Bond considered two career goals: sports writing and teaching. About half-way through his college education, Bond decided that a career in teaching was the more appealing option, as it would allow him to do his own writing while helping others as well. He earned his master’s degree in Educational Administration from Seattle Pacific University and then went on to Washington State University to receive his superintendent’s credential.
In both his professional and personal life, Bond looks at his greatest accomplishment as preparing kids for a successful future. He and his wife of 31 years, Carmen, are proud and anxious for the exciting transitions that await their three children: a recent graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy for their son Joshua; senior year at Seattle Pacific University for their son Jeremy; and freshman year at Washington State University for their daughter Jennifer.
“Ultimately it’s about student achievement,” says Bond.
As superintendent of Kennewick School District, Bond hopes that the district will improve its ability to help students to get the most out of their education, while meeting the standards of the state.
“Hopefully, when this is all done,” he adds, “I’ll be able to look back and say, ‘More kids met higher standards, more graduated, and more were prepared for a better life afterward.’”
Dr. Jean Lane – Richland School District
Dr. Jean Lane assumed the position, formerly held by Dr. Richard Semler, as superintendent of Richland School District this summer. Although she has served as Assistant Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent for Richland School District since 2001, becoming a superintendent was never something Dr. Lane set out to accomplish.Jean Lane grew up on her family’s farm in Cusick, Washington, just north of Spokane. Her father, a strong civic leader in the rural community, had a great influence on Lane’s career path. Lane’s father served on the local school board for twenty-five years in Cusick, and his strong leadership made Lane’s path into the education realm a clear inclination.
Lane attended high school in Newport, Washington, and she describes the options for a young lady graduating high school at that time as very slim.
“After high school, a woman had four options,” describes Lane, “a nurse, a secretary, a wife, or a teacher. I picked teacher because I didn’t like blood.”
After receiving her bachelors and masters degrees from Eastern Washington University, Lane went on to Washington State University to receive her doctorate in Educational Administration. She taught primary grades in Newport for a number of years, later moving to work with the Dayton School District. Lane took her first position with the Richland School District as principal at Marcus Whitman Elementary in 1992.
Six years later, Dr. Lane became Richland’s Executive Director of Elementary Education, followed by Assistant Superintendent from 2001 to 2006, and Deputy Superintendent from 2006 to 2008. Climbing the ladder to become superintendent of Richland School District has been a very natural process for Lane, yet she will insist that the position is an opportunity she never imagined.
“I’m a collaborative leader,” explains Lane. “Not a top-down leader.”
As superintendent, Lane hopes to continue the district’s direction toward a cultural connection with its community. In her years with Richland School District, Lane is most proud of being a part in hiring “an outstanding staff,” and then building trusting relationships with these people that will move the district forward.
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