Willapa Valley High School School Principal Nancy Morris has been named superintendent of the district, taking over for Rob Friese, who is retiring.

Named to fill Morris’ position middle school and high school is Jennifer Kraley who comes to Willapa Valley from the Wahluke School District along the Columbia River in south central Washington.

Friese announced his retirement in April and Morris was chosen among four candidates. She has been an educator in the Willapa Valley District for 21 years, first as high school English teacher (14 years) and volleyball coach, then as part-time teacher/part-time dean of students (two years) and then principal (five years). Prior to her work at Willapa Valley, Morris was a substitute teacher in local districts, taught English classes for Grays Harbor College and taught preschool in Raymond.

“Willapa Valley has a history of high expectations for students academically and in extracurricular activities,” Morris said. “We have strong academic programs in both schools, and strong CTE programs, but we need to do a better job of showing off our good work to our community.”

Two years ago, Morris introduced the “Demonstration Fair” to the high school, a showcase of student work and interests to draw community members in to see and benefit from students’ talents and knowledge. Morris plans to hold regular coffee meetings, or “Sip with the Superintendent” meetings to invite community members’ input into district plans. The first meeting is being planned now to be held during Fair Week to introduce the new administration to the community. Details of the meeting will be coming soon.

Kraley, the new principal, has most recently been assistant principal at the elementary level for the past two years. She was a classroom history teacher for 15 years. Kraley earned her bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University and her master’s degree and principal certification from City University. She has four children, ranging in ages from 5 to 20.

Meanwhile, Lori Snodgrass, former fifth-grade teacher at Willapa Elementary, recently earned her principal certification through WGU.

She has been with the Willapa Valley district for 12 years, as elementary teacher and high school volleyball coach for the past seven years. She recently began the “Little Readers” program which brings community members into the school as reading tutors to work with individual students, similar to the previous “HOSTs” (Help One Student to Succeed) Program. Snodgrass replaced elementary coordinator Jay Pearson, who will be taking on the responsibilities of district athletic director, special education director, ECEAP coordinator and technology coordinator. Kraley, Snodgrass and Pearson’s positions will be brought to the school board for approval at the next regular meeting on July 23 at 7 p.m.