Richland School District selects new Superintendent. Again.

RICHLAND, Wash.-- On Tuesday, the Richland School Board selected a former Richland teacher as its new superintendent.

Dr. Shelley Redinger spent the past eight years as superintendent of Spokane Public Schools and has served in that role in two other districts before the Richland School Board offered her position in their district after the unexpected withdrawal of its initial superintendent choice.

“Shelley checks all the boxes of what our community told us they wanted in the next superintendent,” says Board President Rick Jansons. “We found her to be warm and a good listener, with a track record of success in the districts she previously led.  She is an innovative leader, who builds trust through authenticity, sincerity and humility.  She has demonstrated the ability to collaboratively implement change for continuous improvement.”

Board members considered a variety of options to fill the superintendent position with current Superintendent Dr. Rick Schulte planning to retire at the end of June.

Dr. Schulte initially planned to retire at the end of the 2018-2019 school year, and the board selected Dr. Nicole MacTavish to take his place. However, the board ended its relationship with Dr. MacTavish, essentially buying out a portion of her contract, and extending Dr. Schulte’s contract for another year.

That led to an extensive national search for a new superintendent, and the hiring of Mr. Mark Davidson, who withdrew his acceptance of the offer earlier this month.

The Board worked with its search consultant to review possible candidates who had previously expressed interest in the position, and reached out to Dr. Redinger.

One of Dr. Redinger’s first teaching jobs was as a 2nd Grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary. She went on to become principal at Sacajawea Elementary and then the district’s Director of Teaching & Learning before departing to advance her career, including becoming superintendent of the Oregon Trail School District in Sandy, Ore., and of the Spotsylvania School District in Fredericksburg, Va.

Dr. Redinger holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education from Washington State University and a master’s and doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. She and her husband, a mechanical engineer, have one son.

“I truly believe that RSD is one of the best districts in the state, if not the country, and I am excited and honored to come and be a partner in the district's next chapter,” Dr. Redinger says. “I am here to partner and collaborate with the district’s staff and community so we continue elevating Richland to better successes together.”

Dr. Redinger is expected to begin her new position on August 1st.