Meet the Superintendent: Ben Small

Central Valley School District welcomes new superintendent Benjamin C. Small!

Photo credit: Robert Behm

On July 1, 2008, Ben Small assumed the leadership position of the Central Valley School District. He moved to Central Valley from the Columbia School District in Burbank, Washington, where he was superintendent for five years (2003-2008).

Small began his teaching career in 1990 at Garrison Middle School in the Walla Walla School District. He then served as principal of Columbia Middle School in the Columbia School District (1996-2003) and Executive Director for Teaching and Learning (2002-2003) before his promotion to superintendent in 2003. Small holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Eastern Washington University. He received his Superintendent Credential from Washington State University in 2004.

Superintendent Search Background
In early January 2008, the Central Valley School District Board of Directors launched a national search for a new superintendent to replace Michael O. Pearson, who retired on June 30. School Board members were assisted by Northwest Leadership Associates, a Washington firm specializing in the superintendent search process.

On April 18, the School Board selected Benjamin C. Small as Central Valley's new superintendent, from a field of three finalists. The offer was finalized on Apriil 28 with when the Board unanimously voted to approve a three-year contract with Mr. Small. He was most recently the superintendent of the Columbia School District in Burbank, WA.

Board president Tom Dingus said "we believe that Ben Small offers the best combination of leadership ability, instructional leadership, energy and vision to lead this district forward. We also believe he has the ability to connect with our staff and community."