Dan Schlotfeldt Named Superintendent of Snoqualmie Valley Schools

The Snoqualmie Valley School District Board of Directors unanimously selected Dan Schlotfeldt as the district's permanent superintendent during its regular board meeting Thursday, Feb. 16.

Schlotfeldt has successfully led the district this school year as the interim superintendent for the last five months after Dr. Gibbon was placed on administrative leave in September. 

“This process was critical for us as Board members serving our community to make sure we have the right individual to lead our district,” SVSD Board President Melissa Johnson said. “Mr. Schlotfeldt has routinely demonstrated incredible leadership with an emphasis on student learning. It feels like he’s been interviewing for this job for the last 27 years.”

In January, the Board hired the services of GR Recruiting to conduct a thorough and extensive review of the district and its leadership. Over 800 survey responses were collected, and 15 focus groups were conducted. Dr. Jim Hager from GR Recruiting presented the findings to the Board during its Feb. 16 meeting. The survey results are available for public viewing. 

“This Board has a strong history of focusing on the student, the classroom, and teaching and learning,” Carolyn Simpson, an SVSD Board Member, said. “The information we heard tonight not only showed tremendous support of Mr. Schlotfeldt but that he aligns with our district's vision and its mission.”

Before becoming interim superintendent, Schlotfeldt had served the Snoqualmie Valley School District for 27 years, most recently as an assistant superintendent of Teaching and Learning, as well as other administrative roles, as principal of Fall City Elementary and as a teacher. He has extensive leadership experience and knowledge of the district and has demonstrated a strong focus on student learning. In addition, he’s cultivated strong relationships with students, parents, staff, and the community. 

A native of Grandview, Wash., and a lifelong learner, Schlotfeldt earned his teaching degree from Central Washington University and started teaching in SVSD in 1994. Schlotfeldt earned his master’s in Instructional Technology in 1998 before returning to Central Washington to receive his principal certificate in 2004. Seven years later, Schlotfeldt received his Superintendent Certificate from Washington State University. 

Schlotfeldt shared that he is excited about this opportunity to lead the district, centered around student learning and making data-informed decisions with a collaborative approach toward improvements. He also values the feedback from the survey and focus groups to help drive his efforts and goals for the district. By strengthening the partnership between our schools and the communities they serve, he looks forward to building upon the solid foundation for offering every Snoqualmie Valley child the quality education they deserve and the support they need to thrive.