Community invited to participate in selection process Sat. April 27 as final interviews held
April 24, 2024
The search for North Franklin School District’s next Superintendent has taken a turn with only two applicants selected to move onto the interview process.
The Board of Directors met in executive session with Northwest Leadership Associates during the regular board meeting on Monday, April 22, to review the applications and select candidates for interviews.
NFSD Board Chairman, Terry Utecht stated, “We are pleased with the pool of applicants who are interested in serving as the next Superintendent of the North Franklin School District. We have selected two candidates to proceed with final interviews on Saturday, April 27.”
The finalists will have the opportunity to tour the North Franklin School District and meet with stakeholder groups including administrators, staff, community, and students. Stakeholders will be able to submit feedback through an anonymous feedback form.
The district shared on Wednesday, April 24 the exact times for stakeholder meetings with the candidates. The North Franklin School District Board of Directors shared, they are “pleased to provide an opportunity for stakeholder groups, including administrators, staff, community and students, to meet the superintendent finalists on Saturday, April 27 at the District Office Administration Building.”
The times are as follows: (* Please note the gap of time between finalists for the community; this is necessary to provide adequate time to interview with the Board).
Meet the Staff:
10:30 am – 11:20 am (Robert Elizondo)
11:30 am – 12:20 pm (Brian Moore)
Meet the Community:
1:30 pm – 2:20 pm (Brian Moore)
3:10 pm – 4:00 pm (Robert Elizondo)
Due to the selection of only two candidates, preliminary interviews were foregone in the selection process.
On Saturday afternoon, the finalists will interview with the board during executive session; it will not be open to the public. After completion of the interviews, the board will discuss the feedback and qualifications of each finalist.
The board plans to hold a special board meeting on Monday, April 29 to present a recommendation to hire for approval of the new superintendent.
The candidates selected for final interviews are Mr. Robert Elizondo, Superintendent, Touchet School District and Mr. Brian Moore, Assistant Superintendent, Richland School District.
Mr. Robert Elizondo, a dedicated educator with over 25 years of experience, currently serves as the superintendent of the Touchet School District, marking his fifth year in that role. With a diverse background in education, Robert's journey includes 16 years as a principal in various districts including Pasco, Morrow Co. Oregon, and Walla Walla Public Schools. Recognized for his student-centered approach, Robert was named Latino Educator of the Year in 2006 and 2009 by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Pasco WA. Committed to advancing educational equity, he is actively involved in numerous leadership affiliations, including president of the Washington Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and recently voted chair-elect to the WASA Superintendent component. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership with an expected completion date of December, 2024. Robert aims to further his impact by championing equitable schools and equal access to higher learning for ALL students. His unwavering dedication to ensuring every student thrives underscores his commitment to building a foundation of equity in education. Robert seeks an opportunity to create a strong partnership with a progressive Board of Directors, community stakeholders, and educational colleagues. He will work relentlessly to achieve positive learning outcomes and post-secondary success for ALL students through shared visioning, intentional planning and inspirational leadership.
Mr. Brian Moore, presently serving as the Assistant Superintendent at the Richland School District, brings with him over 25 years of diverse experience spanning roles such as teacher, coach, principal, and mentor. Over the past six years at Richland, Brian has demonstrated his leadership ability across various domains, including instructional leadership, special education, early childhood education, principal supervision, English language learners, school finance, and positive behavior management. Prior to his position as assistant superintendent, Brian served as the principal of Marcus Whitman Elementary in the Richland School District and Franklin Elementary in the Pullman School District, where his involvement in district-level leadership was substantial and impactful. His journey in education commenced in the Puyallup School District as an elementary teacher and high school coach. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Education degree at Central Washington University in 1995 and later earned his Master's degree in Educational Leadership from City University (Tacoma) in 2004. Brian's extensive experience across various educational roles underscores his commitment to fostering student achievement and promoting educational excellence for all students.
“We are hopeful about the future of our district and are grateful for the wonderful candidates who are eager to serve the North Franklin School District,” Utecht added.