Prosser hires new interim school superintendent. She’s no stranger to the Yakima Valley
A longtime Yakima Valley educator has stepped up to lead the Prosser School District.
Kimberly Casey has accepted an offer to be the district’s interim superintendent for one year. The Prosser School Board unanimously approved her contract.
Her first day on the job is Monday, July 3.
“We are thrilled to have a veteran educational leader of Kim’s caliber join the Prosser team as interim superintendent this next school year,” said Prosser School Board President Jason Rainier in a provided statement.
“Kim has deep roots in the Valley. She understands our community and her demonstrated commitment to visibility, engagement and communication is just what Prosser needs at this time.”
Casey replaces Matthew Ellis, the Prosser native and five-year superintendent who recently left to take a new job as head of the Tillamook School District in Oregon.
She’ll earn an annual salary of $180,000 as interim superintendent. That’s about $12,000 less than what Ellis made.
The Prosser School Board will begin its search for a permanent superintendent in early fall.
Casey told the Tri-City Herald in a short phone conversation last week that she plans to apply.
“I’ve lived in the Lower Valley for 19 years and my goal is to be the Prosser superintendent,” she said.
Casey comes to Prosser after a year as superintendent of the 520-student Soap Lake School District in Grant County. The Prosser district serves 2,400 students.
Before that, she spent 6 1/2 years as the Grandview High School principal, and also conducted a superintendent internship with the district from August 2020 to April 2022.
She also worked as a CTE teacher at Compass High School and previously taught at Eastern Washington University and Yakima Valley College. Her background is in business education.
In a statement, she said she looks forward to working collaboratively with the Prosser community to ensure each student receives the best education possible.
“As the interim superintendent of the Prosser School District, I am dedicated to promoting open communication and maintaining an ‘open door’ policy. My vision is to foster a culture of educational excellence, where students, parents and staff feel heard and supported,” Casey said.
