Washougal School District superintendent will retire in June

Washougal School District Superintendent Dawn Tarzian announced Feb. 10 that she will retire at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

Tarzian, whose career in education has spanned 37 years, has served as Washougal superintendent since 2011. She brought with her experience as a former teacher, principal, curriculum director and superintendent.

According to a press release, in the past four years Tarzian led the district’s efforts to refocus on instruction, student achievement, and building trust with the staff and community.

Much of that work culminated in Proposition 5, the $57.68 million WSD capital improvement bond that was part of the Feb. 10 special election. As of Thursday morning, it is passing with 60.69 percent approval.

In announcing her retirement, Tarzian said that should Proposition 5 pass, she “understands the importance of the work that lies ahead and the need for community involvement in the next steps of the process.”

“I feel that the superintendent who engages in these conversations needs to be here through the completion of these projects in 2018-2019,” she added.

The Washougal School Board is working with BWP and Associates to hire Tarzian’s successor, who would be on the job by July 2015.

Tarzian’s husband of 35 years, Peter, who retired last year from Mt. Pleasant School District, will retire from the Sherman County School District at the end of this school year. The Tarzians have six grown children, three of whom are in the field of education, and six grandchildren.

Look for additional details in the Feb. 17 edition of the Post-Record.