Rick Pass appointed interim Naselle super

The Naselle School Board of Directors appointed Dr. Rick Pass of Astoria to a one year contract as superintendent at their meeting on August 26.

Pass assumed his position August 31, three days before students return to school on September 3. The interim contract expires June 30, 2010.

In an emailed statement, Pass said “It is an honor to be selected as the Naselle-Grays River Valley School District interim superintendent. Having grown up in the lower Columbia River area, I have enjoyed the opportunity to compete against Naselle High School athletes as a high school athlete myself and later as a coach, as a principal and as a superintendent of schools. Naselle schools have always set an example of a caring and supportive community that values its schools and the quality of education delivered to its students.

“Two of the current staff members and I have previously worked together (Russ Hickman and Lisa Nelson). Additionally, my wife and I have enjoyed following little league all-star teams when our sons played with boys from the Naselle and Astoria areas.”

Pass served as Knappa, Ore., superintendent for 11 years prior to coming to Naselle. He has 32 years of experience as an educator, all in small schools in the lower Columbia region.