Washougal superintendent leaving for Vancouver Public Schools job

Washougal School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Stromme is leaving Washougal to rejoin the Vancouver Public Schools district.

In a press release sent out this afternoon, the Vancouver district announced that, in July, Stromme will become VPS’s associate superintendent for administrative services.

He will oversee divisions responsible for Vancouver’s K-12 school operations, academic programs, career and technical education, instructional technology and special services.

“I am very proud of the work we have accomplished together over the past two and half years
with an outstanding team of educational professionals who I have been privileged to work with in Washougal,” Stromme said. “We have achieved several milestones in our continuous effort to deliver high quality educational programs and construct new 21st century schools to benefit all Washougal students.”

Stromme, who has led WSD since 2015, and helped that district complete $60 million worth of capital improvements, will lend his experience to the Vancouver district, which is in the process of completing a $563 million school construction and renovation project funded by bond proceeds, a state grant for class-size reduction and state construction assistance funds.

In Washougal, Stromme was responsible for all aspects of district operations and organizational planning processes. Major accomplishments during Stromme’s tenure included voter approval of a levy for maintenance and operations, necessary revisions to school attendance boundaries and collective bargaining agreements with employee associations.

“We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Stromme back to serve in the number two executive position,” said Dr. Steven Webb, superintendent of VPS. “His demonstrated leadership experience in planning and overseeing school construction projects brings additional capacity to our team as we fulfill our commitment to provide future-ready learning environments for all VPS students.”

Stromme worked for VPS as a classroom teacher, associate principal/athletic director, principal, planning administrator, chief of secondary education, associate superintendent/chief information officer and associate superintendent for teaching and learning for 21 years. He also was associate superintendent for instructional services and technology at Educational Service District 112, and interim superintendent at Green Mountain School District.

He has been involved in the community as president of the board of directors for the Children’s Center, board member for Junior Achievement of Oregon and Southwest Washington, and co-chair of the Marshall Youth Leadership Award program. In 1999, he received the Gen. George C. Marshall Public Leadership Award. Stromme also has served as a board member for the Washington Association of School Administrators.