The Lake Washington School District and the city of Sammamish will host an opportunity for the public to meet and talk with Dr. Traci Pierce, the LWSD Board of Directors’ preferred candidate for the district superintendent position from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17 at Sammamish City Hall.

The LWSD School Board conducted an internal search for its new superintendent in October and November and announced Pierce as its preferred candidate at the Dec. 5 board meeting.

Pierce will replace Chip Kimball, who is leaving to take a school superintendent position in Singapore. The board decided to look for a qualified internal candidate to maintain continuity during what is expected to be a very busy 2012.

Pierce is currently the deputy superintendent of instructional services for LWSD and has not yet been hired as superintendent. The series of gatherings throughout the district to meet Pierce will introduce her to the community while asking for public input to the school board.

For more information on the open house, contact Melonie Anderson at 425-295-0511 or manderson@

ci.sammamish.wa.us. To learn more about Pierce or the search process, contact Kathryn Reith at 425-936-1342 or

kreith@lwsd.org.