New superintendent

Dr. Kenneth (Chris) Hurst has an 18-year career in education. He was named superintendent of Othello School District in Othello, Washington, in 2016. Among his accomplishments in Othello are implementing the district’s strategic plan and a one-to-one Chromebook initiative. Throughout his career he has worked to remove barriers and created systems to address educational equity for all students.  

Dr. Hurst served in the United States Marine Corps for approximately eight years before pursuing his dream to become a mathematics teacher in 1998 in Poway Unified School District in California.

Over his career, he has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and associate superintendent in Poway and Oceanside, California. During his tenure as a principal in the San Diego Unified School District, he participated in one of the largest reform efforts in the state of California. 

Dr. Hurst holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and master’s degree in education administration from California State University, San Marcos. He earned his doctoral degree in K-12 educational leadership from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Hurst’s wife, Crystal, is a teacher who works for Washington State School for the Blind serving Othello, Cheney and Medical Lake school districts. They have two children. Taffiney Simmons is a sixth grade teacher in Dallas, Texas. Kenneth Hurst Jr. is a computer analyst in San Diego, California.

Jeff Snell, Ed.D., has more than 25 years of experience in education. Dr. Snell taught secondary math and has served as an associate principal at the middle and high school levels. In his current role as superintendent of Camas School District, Dr. Snell has supported the successful passage and implementation of multiple levies and bonds. 

His experience also includes teaching in the education leadership programs at Concordia University and Washington State University Vancouver. In addition, Dr. Snell has held several leadership roles related to evaluation, professional growth and technology. He serves on the board for the Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession and mentors other superintendents through the Washington Association of School Administrators. 

Dr. Snell holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from Boston University and master’s degree in educational leadership and doctorate in education from Washington State University.

He and his wife, Suzie, an elementary school counselor, have three children. Mackenzie and Stephen are twins in their first year at the University of Washington, and Micah is a fifth grader. 

Their family runs a nonprofit organization, Micah’s Miles, with a mission of building an inclusive community and inspiring others through their son Micah. Micah and Dr. Snell have completed 35 marathons together, raising $75,000 for other nonprofits.