Moses Lake names new superintendent
New deputy superintendent Monte Redal helps school board member Vicki Groff cuts the ribbon to the renovated Lions Field. Photo by Chrystal Doucette/Columbia Basin Herald
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District Board selected a new superintendent and deputy superintendent Thursday night.
Michelle Price was named superintendent and Monte Redal was named deputy superintendent, by the school board.
Price begins July 1, replacing Dr. Steve Chestnut who served the school for 12 years.
“There are many challenges facing education, our community and our nation,” Price stated. “Some of the challenges, we will face as educators in Moses Lake, will be the economic impacts, growth in our community and the need to continue to improve our curriculum and instruction.”
Price said she plans to focus on budget issues, meeting the needs of staff and students and to address expected growth in the school district.
She is excited to take on the role of superintendent of the Moses Lake School District.
“It is an honor to work with staff, students, parents and the Moses Lake community. I am looking forward to continuing the work that has been done by Dr. Steve Chestnut and my colleagues P.J. De Benedetti and Monte Redal.”
She earned her superintendent credentials from Washington State University where she also completed her doctorate degree.
Price has past education experience including time working as an elementary school principal for nine years, shared between Soap Lake and Moses Lake. For the past seven years she served as the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in Moses Lake.
“Monte and I will have some big shoes to fill but believe that working together will enable us to continue to make Moses Lake a great place to learn, work and live,” Price stated.
Redal echoed Price’s sentiment.
“I am excited and have mixed feelings (about the promotion) because it will be difficult with the loss of Steve Chestnutt and P.J. De Benedetti,” Redal said Thursday. “But, Michelle and I are up to the challenges.”
Redal begins his new duties this summer.
“We face many challenges ahead, not the least of which is the state and federal economic situation,” Redal stated. “We also have some great opportunities in this district as we build new schools to meet the challenges and to continue to make progress and improvement for this district.”
He’s served the school district for 33 years shared between being a teacher, elementary school principal and during the past 11 years he’s been the assistant superintendent for business and operations.
“We’re a district that is growing and we’re in the middle of construction, and have a lot on our plates already,” said Redal. “It’s great to work in a school district with such community support and we have a great staff here at Moses Lake … I look forward to coming to work every day.”