Cheney Public Schools is excited to announce the finalist candidates for our next district superintendent. After completing preliminary interviews with the Cheney School Board of Directors on April 14 and 15, the field has been narrowed to three excellent candidates with great experience and a passion for education. The three finalists are Dr. Sean Dotson, Dr. Ben Ferney, and Mr. Donald Vanderholm.

Dr. Sean Dotson has served as the superintendent of the Tumwater School District since 2019, prior to that he served as the associate superintendent here in Cheney Public Schools for five years. He has served as principal or assistant principal at elementary, middle and high school levels and taught high school English for five years. Dr. Dotson holds an Education Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Washington State University, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts, Education in Secondary English, both from Eastern Washington University.

Dr. Ben Ferney is currently the superintendent of Valley School District south of Chewelah, Washington and has served in that role since 2018. Prior to that he served as principal of Freeman Middle School, and assistant principal at Westwood and Cheney Middle Schools and taught high school science for ten years. He holds an Education Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Gonzaga University, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Eastern Washington University and a Bachelor of Science from Washington State University.

Mr. Donald Vanderholm is currently the superintendent of the Lind-Ritzville Cooperative Schools and has served in that role since 2018. Before his time at Lind-Ritzville Mr. Vanderholm served as the principal of Manson High School for eleven years. He has fourteen years of experience teaching social studies and language arts in Springdale and Inchelium School Districts. Mr. Vanderholm is currently pursuing an Education Doctorate from Washington State University, he holds a Master in Education from Eastern Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts from Whitworth University.

Cheney Public Schools congratulates Dr. Sean Dotson, Dr. Ben Ferney, and Mr. Donald Vanderholm and looks forward to the next stage of the interview process. Dr. Dotson will interview on Tuesday the 19^th, Mr. Vanderholm will interview on Wednesday the 20^th and Dr. Ferney will interview on Thursday the 21^st. Finalist interviews will include a full day interview in which the public will have the opportunity to participate during open community forums each day from 5:15 – 6:00 p.m. in the Cheney High School auditorium.  Forum attendees will have the opportunity to write questions on cards that will be shared with the forum moderator and provide written feedback for consideration.