For the Reporter

Auburn School District Superintendent Kip Herren has been elected to the vacant district management representative position for the Race to the Top Executive Committee, effective in August.

Herren has worked in education for 39 years, 34 of those years in Auburn. He has been an Auburn High School teacher, coach, dean of students, assistant principal and principal. He also served as an associate and deputy superintendent for 12 years. He is in his sixth year as superintendent.

Herren was a key leader in applying for and implementing the region’s Race to the Top grant and brings a deep regional perspective to this work.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Superintendent Kip Herren elected to the executive committee,” said Jessica de Barros, Race to the Top executive director. “He has great passion for this work and understands the importance of districts and community organizations partnering together to support students in the region. I know his expertise and experience will strengthen our work.”

Nominations for the open position were accepted in May. Superintendents, board presidents and education association presidents from the seven consortium districts voted on a pool of four candidates. Herren received the majority of the votes.

About the Road Map Region Race to the Top Grant

The Auburn, Federal Way, Highline, Kent, Renton, Seattle and Tukwila school districts competed together for $40 million in Race to the Top federal funding as the Road Map District Consortium. The districts’ grant was among 16 winners picked from nearly 400 applications by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) is responsible for managing the grant’s implementation and functions as the fiscal agent.

For more information visit www.roadmapracetothetop.org.