The Enumclaw School District Board of Directors is pleased to announce two finalists for the district’s next superintendent: Dr. Wade Barringer and Dr. Mark Wenzel.
The announcement follows a comprehensive search process facilitated by Northwest Leadership Associates (NWLA), the executive search firm retained by the Board to support a national superintendent search. The district received 25 applications for the position. After careful review, the Board selected six candidates for preliminary interviews and is now advancing two highly qualified finalists to the next phase of the process.
Throughout the search, the Board has used community input to guide its decision-making, including feedback from the Leadership Profile Survey, stakeholder focus groups, and the community input session held earlier this spring.
“Selecting a superintendent is one of the most important responsibilities of a school board, and we have taken that responsibility seriously,” said Board President Tyson Gamblin. “We are grateful to the students, families, staff, and community members who shared their perspectives and helped shape the leadership profile for our next superintendent. Their input has been central to this process.”
The Board is excited to bring forward two candidates who reflect the qualities identified as important by the Enumclaw School District community. “Both finalists have also expressed genuine enthusiasm for becoming part of our community and living within the district,” Gamblin said.
Meet the Superintendent Finalists
Dr. Wade Barringer
Wade Barringer joined the Kent School District in 2004 after earning his PhD in Educational Administration from WSU. He served as an Assistant Principal from 2004 to 2007 and Principal of Kent-Meridian HS from 2007 to 2018. During his time as principal, Barringer earned his Superintendent’s Credential (2013), became a nationally certified Principal Mentor (2012), and Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) Mentor Principal (2015).
In 2018, Barringer transitioned to the Kent School District’s central office leadership team as an Executive Director, where he supervised 18 principals from 2018 to 2020. From 2020 to 2023, Barringer served as the Interim Chief of Human Resources, Senior Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Operations, and Associate Superintendent of Strategic Initiatives and Operations.
He has been Deputy Superintendent since July 1, 2023, and currently serves as a board director for Communities in Schools of South King County, Covington Chamber of Commerce board director, Kent International Festival Board Vice President, Kent Schools Foundation ex-officio member, and the Lake Meridian Association Director.
Wade is married to Stephanie Barringer, principal of Meridian Elementary School. His son, Ronan attends WSU and daughter, Thea is a student in the Aerospace Manufacturing Leadership Academy at Skills Inc. They are active community members and enjoy family time, movies, travel, home renovations and the outdoors.
Dr. Mark Wenzel
Mark Wenzel is an accomplished educational leader with more than 25 years of experience in U.S. public school systems and international schools. Known for strengthening community trust, elevating teaching and learning, and building cohesive organizations, he brings deep Washington roots and a global perspective to his leadership.
From 2013 to 2020, Wenzel served as superintendent of the Anacortes School District, a high-performing Washington district of 2,700 students. His tenure included strong community engagement, improved labor relations, philanthropic support, and passage of a $90 million bond, the district's first in nearly two decades, supporting construction of a new high school. The district also earned state recognition for closing learning gaps and increasing graduation rates.
Previously, he served as superintendent of the Methow Valley School District, where he led technology and curriculum innovations, including world language expansion and a 1:1 technology environment. Most recently, Wenzel held senior leadership roles with an international school network in Asia, including superintendent of a large P-12 school in Singapore and regional director overseeing instructional quality and leadership development across multiple schools.
Wenzel began his career as a classroom teacher at the middle school, high school, and college levels, and later served six years as communications director for Bethel School District. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Washington, along with graduate degrees from UW and the London School of Economics. He is a longtime Lions and Rotary member.
Mark and his wife Julie, a licensed mental health counselor, share a household kept lively by their three kids: Ruby, a high schooler and hip hop dancer, and Eli and Finn, middle schoolers and dedicated baseball and basketball players.
Finalist Visits and Public Forums
Each finalist will spend a full day meeting with principals, student leaders, staff, union representatives, and district leaders, as well as touring schools and district facilities.
The community is invited and encouraged to attend the finalist public forums:
Dr. Wade Barringer
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Enumclaw High School Media Center
226 Semanski Street South, Enumclaw, WA 98022
Dr. Mark Wenzel
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Enumclaw High School Media Center
226 Semanski Street South, Enumclaw, WA 98022
Both forums will also be livestreamed via virtual webinar. The webinar link will be posted on the district’s website.
Community members, staff, and families are invited to submit questions for the finalists in advance. Questions must be submitted by Friday, May 8, 2026, at 4 p.m. Submitted questions will be reviewed and may be incorporated into the staff and community forums, which will be facilitated by NWLA.
During each forum, attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback through a QR code and an online link. This feedback will help inform the Board as it moves toward a final decision.
The Board anticipates announcing its decision on May 14, 2026, with the new superintendent contract expected to begin July 1, 2026.
Additional information about the superintendent search process, finalists, public forums, question submission, and feedback opportunities is available on the district’s Superintendent Search webpage: https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/page/superintendent-search.
