Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Former Colville super begins July 1
Steve Fisk
ODESSA - A permanent superintendent has been hired by the school district here. Former Colville superintendent, North Central High School principal and Richland High School principal Steve Fisk was chosen through interviews with the school board and a recommendation from ESD101.
Fisk, 57, will begin duties July 1 and will also act as K-5 Principal.
"This particular position offers me the ability to be an elementary principal as well," Fisk said. "I was looking for a smaller school experience. I have a lot of experience with larger high schools, and you can do those, but it's not the same as knowing every student and family and developing those relationships."
Fisk takes over for both outgoing principal Jamie Nelson, who is retiring after the school year, and interim superintendent Rob Clark. The district is still looking to hire a secondary school principal since Fisk's principal duties will be solely in the elementary school.
He was the only candidate officially interviewed by the school board after the ESD's recommendation.
"His experience was primarily (the reason for hire)," board chairman Ed Deife said. "We were looking for somebody that seemed to be a fit and he fit the bill."
Fisk said he first learned about the Odessa position just two weeks ago. After meeting with the school board, administrative staff and teachers, he was chosen.
"As superintendent in a small school district, you have to be significantly more creative," Fisk said when discussing what drew him to the district.
Most recently, Fisk was the principal at Richland High School.
Last year, he was the superintendent of the Colville School District before resigning in Feb. 2022 after the school board refused to enforce statewide mask mandates, then walked back the decision citing the potential for heavy state fines.
Prior to stops in Richland and Colville, Fisk spent 13 years at North Central High School and 10 years in Hood River, Ore.
He began his educational career in Montana, with stops in Arlene, St. Regis and the Bitterroot Valley along the way.
"What I will bring is a passion for programs and creation of programs," Fisk said.
"I definitely love to go hunt for grants and love the creative side of things and finding the best way to serve our kids and set them up for postsecondary opportunities."
Fisk said Odessa families are welcome to stop in his office and chat with him when he begins the job.
"A lot of people feel like there's not an open door policy with the superintendent, so I try to offer that," he said.
Fisk is married to wife Wendy, an elementary school teacher.
They have one son graduating from Richland High School this weekend and are currently searching for housing in the area.
His contract is currently being negotiated, Deife said.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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