2024-25 Leadership Announcements

Kennewick School District is pleased to announce that Scott Hammond has been named the new assistant principal of Chinook Middle School.

Hammond currently serves as the vice-principal and district athletic director at Fruitland High School in Idaho where he has worked for the past three years. He previously worked at Hermiston High School in Oregon for 10 years as a math teacher and has coached high school football, lacrosse and basketball.

“We are thrilled to have Mr. Hammond join the Wolfpack," stated Chinook Middle School Principal Jake Davis. "His secondary experience will allow for a smooth transition to Chinook. His track record of organizational and systems management will strengthen our school community in a continuing effort to support a school environment where every student and adult feels safe, known, and valued.”

Hammond holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Linfield College, a master’s degree in teaching from George Fox University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Governors University.

Kennewick School District is pleased to announce that Inés Capetillo will be the next principal of Eastgate Elementary.

Capetillo, an Eastgate alum, brings 24 years of experience in education, including 10 years as an administrator in the Pasco School District. For the past two years, she has served as a bilingual assistant principal at Pasco High School, and previously held bilingual assistant principal positions at Marie Curie STEM Elementary, Rosalind Franklin STEM Elementary and Rowena Chess Elementary. She started her education career as a district literacy coach and teacher in Pasco.

"Inés brings invaluable experience to Eastgate," said Jared Lind, director of elementary education. "She has a strong instructional background and a passion for supporting and leading a dual language school. We are excited that a former Eastgate Panther is coming home."

Capetillo earned a bachelor's degree in Education from Washington State University Tri-Cities and a master's degree in Education from Heritage University.

She will replace Principal Brittany Mercer, who was recently named the new Assistant Director of Learning Supports and Programs for the Kennewick School District. 

Kennewick School District has named Kurtis Reser as the new assistant principal of Kamiakin High School.

Mr. Reser brings 14 years of experience in education to the position, including eight years in school administration. For the past six years, he has worked at Grandview High School and has held the positions of assistant principal, CTE director, AVID district director, and summer school administrator.

“We are excited that Kurtis will be joining the Kamiakin family," stated Principal Chris Chelin. "He has a strong track record as a building administrator and building positive relationships with students and staff, as well as best practice instruction.”

His previous positions include assistant principal at Othello High School and an ELA/Social Studies teacher and principal intern at Sunnyside High School.

Mr. Reser holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Washington University and a master’s degree in education leadership from Washington State University Tri-Cities.

Kennewick School District (KSD) has appointed Dr. Thomas Brillhart to serve as the new assistant superintendent of operations.

Dr. Brillhart currently serves as the assistant superintendent of operations for New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated Schools in New Albany, Indiana.

KSD Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce shared, "We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Brillhart to KSD. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and we are fortunate to have him join our team!"

As the assistant superintendent of operations for KSD, Dr. Brillhart will provide leadership and oversight for human resources, business services, nutrition services, transportation, facilities, and capital projects.

Dr. Brillhart has 19 years of experience working in public education. He has held a variety of district leadership positions in small to large districts, including interim, associate, and assistant superintendent roles, director of transportation and maintenance, chief financial officer, chief operations officer, curriculum/instruction/career and college readiness coordinator, and support services director. He began his career as a social studies teacher and coach and served as a high school assistant principal and elementary principal prior to becoming a district-level administrator.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University, a master’s degree from Indiana State University in Educational Leadership, and a Doctorate in Education from Oakland City University.

He is married to Lori, a science teacher, and the couple has two daughters in high school. 

Dr. Brillhart will start his new position on July 1.

Kennewick School District is pleased to announce that Kent Nixon is the new assistant principal of Fuerza Elementary.

Nixon has nine years of experience as a school administrator. He is currently the principal at Lincoln Elementary in the Hoquium School District and previously served as a principal at an elementary dual language immersion school in the Shelton School District. He began his education career in the Granite School District in Utah where he worked as an elementary principal of a dual language immersion school and assistant principal at a gifted dual language immersion and a STEM elementary school, a middle school Spanish teacher, and a middle school special education teacher. 

"Kent has a rich background in dual language education and a passion for fostering linguistic diversity," stated Fuerza principal, Dora Johns. "He brings invaluable expertise to our community. His commitment to bilingualism will make a positive contribution to Fuerza’s commitment to educational excellence."

He holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration from Utah State University and a bachelor's degree in Spanish with a minor in Business Administration from Brigham Young University.

Kennewick School District has named Chelsea Venegas the new Assistant Director of Special Services. 

Venegas is currently working in the Houston Independent School District as an assistant principal, and previously worked as an itinerant transition coach in the office of special education. She also worked as the special education department chair/autism behavior in the Spring Independent School District and as a self-contained special education teacher in the Houston Independent School District.

“Chelsea demonstrates an incredible energy, passion, and knowledge of special education," stated Lexie Buschbach, director of special services. " She will be an excellent addition to our special services team and is eager to serve the students, staff, and families of the Kennewick School District.”

Venegas will complete a master's in educational leadership from University of Texas - Arlington in June 2024. She holds a bachelor's in Sociology from California State University - San Marcos.

She will begin her new position on July 1, 2024.

Kennewick School District is pleased to announce that Amy Martinez has been named the new Assistant Director of Human Resources.

Martinez has worked at Kennewick School District for the past six years and is currently the Human Resources coordinator, supporting classified staffing. She previously worked in the banking industry. She will begin her new position on July 1.

"Amy has been a valued member of the HR team providing support throughout the district for the past six years," stated Toni Neidhold, director of Human Resources. "Amy’s commitment to our staff, students and community make her great fit for this leadership role."

She earned a bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management from Western Governors University and is currently earning a master's in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. 

Congratulations to Brittany Mercer who was named the new Assistant Director of Learning Supports & Programs for Kennewick School District. She will begin her new position July 1.

Mercer has served as the principal at Eastgate Elementary School for the past eight years and previously worked as an elementary principal, assistant principal and teacher in Utah. Eastgate currently in its third year of transitioning to a dual language (English/Spanish) school offering all boundary students a 50/50 model of instruction.

"Brittany will be an excellent addition to the team with her principal experience and vast knowledge of dual language," stated Sarah Del Toro, director of Learning Programs and Supports. "She has done a phenomenal job with the Eastgate dual expansion over the past three years.

She is a graduate of Brigham Young University where she earned a master's degree in Educational Leadership, a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and an associate degree in Spanish.