School district names Cvitanich new superintendent

SANDPOINT — A Washington state native who began his education career teaching in a one-room school will be the next superintendent of the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

School trustee chairman Vickie Pfeifer announced Friday that the board has chosen Dominic "Dick" Cvitanich, assistant superintendent for student learning and teaching at Puyallup, Wash., to replace retiring superintendent Mark Berryhill.

Cvitanich's appointment will become official at the next school board meeting, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Hope Elementary School.

Cvitanich brings more than 30 years of experience as a teacher and instructional leader.

Since 2004, he has been with the Puyallup School District, a district of 22,000 students east of Tacoma. Previously, he was an area administrator for 10 years in the Highline School District, a diverse district of 18,000 students south of Seattle, where he supervised principals and schools at all levels.

In interviews and at public forums last week in Sandpoint, Cvitanich frequently noted that he was "first and foremost" a teacher.

"It's central to what all successful leaders must do to create strong and sustained organizations," he told the LPOSD trustees.

"We are thrilled that Dick has accepted our offer to lead our efforts to improve student achievement," said Pfeifer.

"The board's top priority was to hire an experienced and successful instructional leader and in Dick, that's what we are getting."

Cvitanich said he plans to be in Sandpoint off and on in coming weeks to meet with the staff, attend board meetings and prepare for the transition. He officially assumes his new position on July 1.

"I am very excited to become a part of the Lake Pend Oreille School District," he said Thursday. "It is obvious to me the community truly desires to further develop a school system that challenges all students to meet rigorous academic standards, promote citizenship and community involvement and open doors so every student has the opportunity to pursue their dreams."

He added that he and his wife, Diane, "will be looking for ways we can involve ourselves in our new community. Although my three sons are now off to college, they too, look forward to visiting the area."

Cvitanich replaces Berryhill, who is retiring after 33 years in the district, the last three as superintendent.

Cvitanich is a native of Tacoma and has a B.A. in history from the University of Washington. He earned his teacher and principal credentials at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash., and his superintendent certificate in 1989 from UW.

He began his teaching career in a one-room school on Shaw Island in Washington state's San Juan Islands. He taught sixtth grade in the Central Kitsap School District and has been a principal at all levels - elementary, middle and high school.

He currently lives on Vashon Island where he and Diane raised three sons and where he was principal of the middle school and then the high school.

Cvitanich said his professional goals focus on "a process of continuous improvement committed to equity as well as excellence." He has experience in facilities planning and has served on levy and bond committees, including development of levy and bond proposals.

The selection of Cvitanich came after a lengthy search process that culminated last week when four finalists met with school board members, toured schools, met with teachers, principals, staff and members of the public.

"We had four very qualified candidates with great references, so a good outcome was assured," said Pfeifer.

"Now that we have a new high school principal and soon will have a new superintendent, I hope the community is as pleased and excited as I am about the future of our district. All this is very good for kids," she added.