***Following an extensive search process, two finalist candidates, Chris Fritsch and Dr. James Shank, have been selected; Final interviews to be held 4/24/2024**
In a special meeting on Saturday, April 20, the Castle Rock School District Board of Directors named two finalists in the district’s search for a new superintendent.
The two finalist candidates are:
- Chris Fritsch, who led the Pendleton School District as superintendent from 2017 to 2022, brings a wealth of experience from various teaching and leadership roles, including principal in Ocean Shores and over 20 years in Longview as a teacher, coach, principal, and assistant superintendent.
- Dr. James Shank served as superintendent in Idaho Falls and most recently in North Beach for a combined 15 years. He has a diverse background in education, including roles as a special education teacher, principal, and director of special education. Shank is a native of Longview.
The selections followed an extensive community engagement process that included an online survey with over 200 respondents and focus groups that included all levels of staff, families, students, and community leaders and members.
The board will conduct final interviews with the two candidates on April 24, 2024 and plans to appoint the new superintendent to start on July 1, 2024.
The board began interviewing semi-finalists for the position of superintendent on April 20, 2024, narrowing a pool of applicants down to the two finalists. The finalists, selected from a highly qualified and experienced candidate pool, are Chris Fritsch, former Superintendent of Pendleton School District, and Dr. James Shank, Superintendent of North Beach School District.
“Meeting such qualified candidates who align so closely with our district’s values and priorities has been a true pleasure,” said Vilas Sundberg, Castle Rock Board Chair. “Each candidate brought a unique set of skills and experiences, yet our finalists stood out as embodying the qualities most valued by our staff, families, and community members in Castle Rock School District’s next leader.”
For more information, please visit our website at https://www.crschools.org/school_board/ or join us on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 4:15 & 5:00 at Castle Rock Middle School and meet each candidate.