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This monthly newsletter is scheduled for the second Friday of each month.
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Dear Enumclaw School District Families,
Next week is Certified Staff Appreciation Week, and I want to take a moment to recognize and thank our incredible educators for the care and dedication they bring to our students each day.
This past Tuesday evening, I had the privilege of participating in senior exit interviews. It was a powerful experience to witness as each senior sat down with one or two adults to reflect on three simple but meaningful questions: Who am I? What do I want to become? And how do I plan to get there? These were not formal presentations, but genuine, authentic conversations.
Listening to our students share their journeys, aspirations, and plans was truly inspiring. It also served as a meaningful reminder of the complexity and importance of the work happening in our classrooms every day. Each student brings a unique story, set of challenges, and dreams. Supporting them, guiding them, and helping them grow into who they are becoming is no small task.
We are grateful for the educators who make these moments possible and for the lasting difference they make in the lives of our students.
With gratitude,
Jill Burnes
Superintendent
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Enumclaw School Board Announces Superintendent Finalists |
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The Enumclaw School District Board of Directors is pleased to announce two finalists for the district’s next superintendent: Dr. Wade Barringer and Dr. Mark Wenzel.
The announcement follows a comprehensive search process facilitated by Northwest Leadership Associates (NWLA), the executive search firm retained by the Board to support a national superintendent search. The district received 25 applications for the position. After careful review, the Board selected six candidates for preliminary interviews and is now advancing two highly qualified finalists to the next phase of the process.
Throughout the search, the Board has used community input to guide its decision-making, including feedback from the Leadership Profile Survey, stakeholder focus groups, and the community input session held earlier this spring.
“Selecting a superintendent is one of the most important responsibilities of a school board, and we have taken that responsibility seriously,” said Board President Tyson Gamblin. “We are grateful to the students, families, staff, and community members who shared their perspectives and helped shape the leadership profile for our next superintendent. Their input has been central to this process.”
The Board is excited to bring forward two candidates who reflect the qualities identified as important by the Enumclaw School District community. “Both finalists have also expressed genuine enthusiasm for becoming part of our community and living within the district,” Gamblin said.
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Meet the Superintendent Finalists
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Wade Barringer joined the Kent School District in 2004 after earning his PhD in Educational Administration from WSU. He served as an Assistant Principal from 2004 to 2007 and Principal of Kent-Meridian HS from 2007 to 2018. During his time as principal, Barringer earned his Superintendent’s Credential (2013), became a nationally certified Principal Mentor (2012), and Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) Mentor Principal (2015).
In 2018, Barringer transitioned to the Kent School District’s central office leadership team as an Executive Director, where he supervised 18 principals from 2018 to 2020. From 2020 to 2023, Barringer served as the Interim Chief of Human Resources, Senior Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Operations, and Associate Superintendent of Strategic Initiatives and Operations.
He has been Deputy Superintendent since July 1, 2023, and currently serves as a board director for Communities in Schools of South King County, Covington Chamber of Commerce board director, Kent International Festival Board Vice President, Kent Schools Foundation ex-officio member, and the Lake Meridian Association Director.
Wade is married to Stephanie Barringer, principal of Meridian Elementary School. His son, Ronan attends WSU and daughter, Thea is a student in the Aerospace Manufacturing Leadership Academy at Skills Inc. They are active community members and enjoy family time, movies, travel, home renovations and the outdoors.
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Mark Wenzel is an accomplished educational leader with more than 25 years of experience in U.S. public school systems and international schools. Known for strengthening community trust, elevating teaching and learning, and building cohesive organizations, he brings deep Washington roots and a global perspective to his leadership.
From 2013 to 2020, Wenzel served as superintendent of the Anacortes School District, a high-performing Washington district of 2,700 students. His tenure included strong community engagement, improved labor relations, philanthropic support, and passage of a $90 million bond, the district's first in nearly two decades, supporting construction of a new high school. The district also earned state recognition for closing learning gaps and increasing graduation rates.
Previously, he served as superintendent of the Methow Valley School District, where he led technology and curriculum innovations, including world language expansion and a 1:1 technology environment. Most recently, Wenzel held senior leadership roles with an international school network in Asia, including superintendent of a large P-12 school in Singapore and regional director overseeing instructional quality and leadership development across multiple schools.
Wenzel began his career as a classroom teacher at the middle school, high school, and college levels, and later served six years as communications director for Bethel School District. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Washington, along with graduate degrees from UW and the London School of Economics. He is a longtime Lions and Rotary member.
Mark and his wife Julie, a licensed mental health counselor, share a household kept lively by their three kids: Ruby, a high schooler and hip hop dancer, and Eli and Finn, middle schoolers and dedicated baseball and basketball players.
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Finalist Visits and Public Forums
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Each finalist will spend a full day meeting with principals, student leaders, staff, union representatives, and district leaders, as well as touring schools and district facilities.
The community is invited and encouraged to attend the finalist public forums:
Dr. Wade Barringer
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Enumclaw High School Media Center
226 Semanski Street South, Enumclaw, WA 98022
Dr. Mark Wenzel
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Enumclaw High School Media Center
226 Semanski Street South, Enumclaw, WA 98022
Both forums will also be livestreamed via virtual webinar. The webinar link will be posted on the district’s website.
Community members, staff, and families are invited to submit questions for the finalists in advance. Questions must be submitted by Friday, May 8, 2026, at 4 p.m. Submitted questions will be reviewed and may be incorporated into the staff and community forums, which will be facilitated by NWLA.
Submit Questions
During each forum, attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback through a QR code and an online link. This feedback will help inform the Board as it moves toward a final decision.
The Board anticipates announcing its decision on May 14, 2026, with the new superintendent contract expected to begin July 1, 2026.
Additional information about the superintendent search process, finalists, public forums, question submission, and feedback opportunities is available on the district’s Superintendent Search webpage: https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/page/superintendent-search.
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ESD Elementary #6 Updates
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Schematic Design Complete
Next Step:
Design Development
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Naming Our New Elementary School |
Thank you to all the families, staff, and community members who submitted school name and mascot ideas to the Naming Committee. The survey received more than 200 submissions for the committee’s consideration.
The committee, composed of dedicated community members, met for the third time on April 23, 2026, to finalize the name and mascot recommendations.
Next Steps:
The Naming Committee will present its prioritized list of three name/mascot recommendations to the Enumclaw School District Board for consideration on May 4, 2026.
The Board will vote on the school name and mascot at the regular board meeting on May 18, 2026.
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Diane Dal Santo
Corey Koch
Ian Lee
Akhil Nair
Kylie Olney
Jared Porter
Dheemanth Rajakumar
Derek Tulluck
Natalie Waters
Chris Beals, Facilitator
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5/4-5/8: Certificated Staff Appreciation Week!
5/4: School Board Work Study, District Office, 6:30 PM
5/6: Parent Preview of Middle School ELA Curriculum, EMS Library, 5:00 PM
5/12: ESD District Art Show, EHS Commons, 5:00 PM
5/12: Superintendent Search: Finalist Visit: Dr. Wade Barringer, Community Forum 6:00 PM, EHS Media Center or Live Webinar
5/12: School Board Meeting (Executive Session), District Office, 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM
5/13: Superintendent Search: Finalist Visit: Dr. Mark Wenzel, Community Forum 6:00 PM, EHS Media Center or Live Webinar
5/13: School Board Meeting (Executive Session), District Office, 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM
5/14: School Board Meeting (Executive Session), District Office, 5:00 PM
5/14: School Board Special Meeting, District Office, 6:00 PM (Superintendent Selection)
5/18: School Board Meeting, District Office, 6:30 PM
5/22: SNOW MAKE-UP DAY for Enumclaw Middle School, Southwood Elementary and Sunrise Elementary only. NO SCHOOL for all other schools.
5/25: NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day, District Office Closed
5/28: Enumclaw SEPAC Meeting, Birth to Five Center, 4:00 PM
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Food Service Account Payments in the New Family Access |
Making Food Service payments in Family Access looks a little different now that the Enumclaw School District has updated to the latest version of Skyward Family Access.
For step-by-step instructions, please visit our website.
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Register Now for the Spring Guiding Good Choices Workshop
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Register now for the Spring 2026 Guiding Good Choices workshop provided by Enumclaw Youth Empowered.
Enumclaw Youth Empowered is a local coalition working to educate, engage, and empower our community to support youth and families in the prevention of youth substance abuse.
In partnership with the Enumclaw School District, they will once again be offering Guiding Good Choices on Tuesdays through April and May.
This workshop is FREE to parents and caregivers of kids ages roughly 9-14.
This workshop helps caregivers learn how to:
- Strengthen family bonds
- Reduce family conflict
- Support kids to build resistance skills
- Set clear family rules to keep kids safe and make positive choices
The program runs through six sessions each Tuesday from April 21 - May 26, 2026, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm via Zoom. Register now at https://tinyurl.com/Spring26GGC or by contacting Melanie Harrington at melanie_harrington@enumclaw.wednet.edu.
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April 27, 2026
Approved: Minutes, Consent Agenda, Payroll and Vouchers
ESD Elementary School #6 Update and Schematic Design Estimate
Policy #2106 - Program Compliance
Policy #2108 - Learning Assistance Program
Policy #5010 - Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action (new title - Discrimination-Free Workplace)
Policy #5011 - Sexual Harassment of District Staff
Presentations:
Superintendent Report
School Presentation - Black Diamond Elementary
Middle Level ELA Curriculum Presentation
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Our next Regular Board Meeting is Monday, May 18, 2026.
You will find the Agenda posted 48 hours prior to the meeting on our School Board web page.
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The Washington State Department of Health: Safety Study Hall
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Visit the Safety Study Hall website, a place for schools,
students, and families to learn about safety topics. |
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Enumclaw Schools Foundation (ESF) strives to bridge the gap between the funds the state provides for basic education and the funds needed to provide students with the education they need for a successful future.
For more information about ESF, click the blue button below.
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Enumclaw School District Statement of Non-Discrimination |
Enumclaw School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, age, and honorably discharged veteran or military status. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: |
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Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 RCW Officer,
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator
Stephanie Berryhill
2929 McDougall Ave.
Enumclaw, WA 98022
360.802.7113
stephanie_berryhill@enumclaw.wednet.edu |
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