Washougal School Board selects new superintendent

The Washougal School District Board of Directors has selected Corvallis School District Superintendent Dawn Tarzian as its next superintendent.

Tarzian will begin work July 1, succeeding Teresa Baldwin, who retires in June.

She was one of four finalists and has served as superintendent of the Corvallis School District in Corvallis, Ore., since 2005. Prior to that, she served as assistant superintendent and director of teaching and learning for the school district.

Prior to becoming an administrator in Corvallis, Tarzian served as director of student services for Linn Benton Lincoln Education Service District, principal for the Greater Albany School District in Albany, Ore., and principal in the Falls City School District in Falls City, Ore.

Tarzian earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and her master’s in education from the University of Oregon. She holds an Oregon administrator’s license.

Tarzian and the other three finalists visited the Washougal School District on March 25 to tour schools, meet district staff, students and community members and interview with the Board of Directors.

The other candidates were current Washougal Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Miner, Tumwater Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Bob Kuehl and Kalama School District Superintendent Jim Sutton,

“I am honored by the opportunity to become the superintendent of the Washougal School District,” Tarzian said. “The reputation of the district is one of quality and of a place where caring staff challenge students to meet high expectations. Through the application process, I had the opportunity to meet students, staff, parents and community members up close.

“In addition to academic achievement, I saw a commitment to the whole child – developing healthy, engaged citizens who are applying what they learn in the classroom to their community and the world beyond.”

School Board President Blaine Peterson said he was pleased with the selection process.

“The board was very fortunate in having extremely qualified applicants,” he said. “That presented us with a very difficult problem, but after much discussion and deliberation we feel we have an excellent new superintendent to help our students reach their full potential.”