As the new school year is underway, we are excited to welcome these new and familiar faces to the role of superintendent across our region. Many are stepping in as interim leaders to guide districts through important transitions. Each of these individuals is prepared to make a lasting impact on the students, families, and communities they serve.
Chris Fritsch, Castle Rock School District
Chris Fritsch, who most recently 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 School District, and more than 20 years in Longview Public Schools as a teacher, coach, principal, and assistant superintendent.
Fritsch and his wife, Susie, have four grown children and nine grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities including gardening, and watching college football.
Dr. Christine Moloney, Interim Superintendent, Evergreen Public Schools
Dr. Christine Moloney brings 30 years of public school experience to her position as interim superintendent of Evergreen Public Schools. She has served in multiple roles in schools and districts, including teacher, assistant principal, principal, and chief academic officer in school districts throughout Washington state. Most recently, she served as superintendent of the Chehalis School District.
Dr. Moloney is Evergreen’s first female superintendent. She and her husband David have a daughter in college and a son in high school. They are dedicated dog owners with a love for Irish Wolfhounds.
Robert Rogers, Superintendent/Principal, Glenwood School District
Robert (Bob) Rogers joins the Glenwood School District with more than 30 years of experience in public education in a variety of roles, including as teacher, administrator, and several years of experience as a superintendent/principal.
In his welcome letter, Rogers explains that his philosophy “is to respectfully lead by example with integrity. I value honesty, determination, kindness, hard work, and strength of character.”
Dr. Wesley Benjamin, Kalama School District
Dr. Wesley Benjamin joined the Kalama School District with more than a decade of administrative experience in education, and three years of experience as a classroom teacher. While serving in leadership roles at Forney Independent School District in Texas, Dr. Benjamin led initiatives that significantly increased AP exam pass rates, as well as College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) rates among graduating seniors.
Married for 18 years, he and his wife have three children: one in first Grade, one in fourth Grade, and one in sixth Grade.
Dr. Karen Cloninger, Longview School District
Dr. Karen Cloninger began supporting the Longview School District as superintendent in July of 2024 after serving as assistant superintendent for the East Valley School District for eight years. Her background in educational leadership includes holding positions as a project director at the Center for Educational Leadership, and executive director of Spokane Public Schools.
Dr. Cloninger says, “As your new superintendent, I want to assure you that I am dedicated to understanding our community’s norms, traditions, relationships, and hopes, and I will work diligently to develop a foundation that is based on transparency and trust.”
Kelly Stickel, Mill A School District
Kelly Stickel was sworn in as superintendent for Mill A School District in late September 2024. Kelly has a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.S. in Education from Eastern Oregon University, and she later obtained her Principal License from George Fox University.
Kelly and her husband Kerey have three children: two grown sons and a younger daughter in eighth grade. They enjoy spending time outdoors camping, fishing and hiking. Kelly also loves creative activities like painting and building things.
Dr. Jenny Rodriquez, Ridgefield School District
Dr. Jenny Rodriquez joined the Ridgefield School District as superintendent in June 2024. While earning advanced degrees in education, Dr. Rodriquez taught middle and high school social studies and English language arts. Later, she assumed leadership roles as a high school principal and then as the executive director of teaching and learning in the Pasco School District in 2013. Most recently, Dr. Rodriquez served as the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning in the Yakima School District.
Dr. Rodriquez and her husband are very proud parents of two daughters.
Erin Lucich, Interim Superintendent, Roosevelt School District
Erin Lucich recently joined the Roosevelt School District as interim superintendent. Erin has extensive experience in education and has served in various leadership roles during her 30-year career, including instructional coach, principal, executive director, and superintendent. In addition to her interim superintendent role, Erin is serving as the director of school improvement & educational leadership at ESD 112.
Lucich shares, “It is a gift and a privilege to support kids and those closest to them in service every day.”
Chris Schumaker, Toutle Lake School District
Chris Schumaker joined the Toutle Lake School District community as superintendent with more than 23 years of experience in education. His background includes instructional positions as a teacher and leadership roles, including principal and superintendent, supporting various K-12 and higher education communities.
In his welcome letter, Schumaker stated, “Throughout my career, I have been committed to fostering a culture of communication, collaboration, and creativity. I believe that by working together—teachers, staff, parents, students, and community members—we can create a positive and enriching environment where everyone can thrive.”
Ric Palmer, Interim Superintendent, Wahkiakum School District
Ric Palmer returned from a seven-year retirement to support the Wahkiakum School District as interim superintendent. His background includes extensive experience in the electrical trade prior to earning a degree in education at the University of Montana. His career in education began teaching business, followed by administrative positions as principal. Most recently, Palmer was the superintendent in the Bickleton District for 17 years until his retirement.
When asked about the challenges he faces as he takes on the leadership role of Wahkiakum School District, he shared that his focus is keeping the district steady and afloat – “I want to keep progress in motion.”
Aaron Hansen, Interim Superintendent, Washougal School District
Aaron Hansen has worked for Washougal School District for more than two decades before being sworn in as interim superintendent earlier this year. He has 31 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent. Most recently, Hansen served as the Washougal High School Principal, and was a math and science teacher prior to that. Hansen also taught English for one year in Taiwan.
Upon stepping into this new role, Hansen said, “I am filled with both excitement and humility. Washougal is a community that stands out for its strong tradition of supporting education, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to lead in such an amazing environment.”
Tye Churchwell, Wishram School District
Tye Churchwell was welcomed as superintendent of the Wishram School District in July. Churchwell has worked in education for 27 years in schools across Washington and Oregon. He has also served on educational committees at ESD 112.
Churchwell attended Wishram School from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Churchwell says, “I’m not sure if the school needed me or I needed the school, but my job at Wishram School has been the most rewarding job one person could ask for.” Tye and his wife of more than 27 years, Kandy, have two grown children.
Asha Riley, Woodland Public Schools
Asha Riley, who was most recently the assistant superintendent at Woodland Public Schools, was sworn in as superintendent in late June of this year. Her extensive experience in education includes roles such as director of teaching and learning at Woodland, principal at Lewis River Academy and Yale Elementary, and professional development administrator at Evergreen Public Schools.
Riley says, “I am both humbled and excited to lead Woodland Public Schools. Our district is renowned for its dedicated staff and commitment to student success. I look forward to building on this foundation and leading our schools towards a future filled with opportunity and achievement for all our students.”
Please join us in warmly welcoming each of these school leaders. Their arrival marks an exciting new chapter for school districts throughout Southwest Washington, driven by a commitment to collaboration, equity, and a shared vision for advancing educational outcomes across the ESD 112 region.
