ILWACO, Wash. – The Ocean Beach School Board has invited four candidates for the position of superintendent to visit the community, tour schools, and interview with the board. One is a former Ilwaco High School principal, Harvey Keene.

The successful candidate will succeed Tom Lockyer who is leaving the district after three years to lead the White River School District in Western Washington.

Candidates will tour schools and meet district staff on May 27. Community members will have an opportunity to meet the candidates at an open house at 6 p.m. May 27. Board interviews are scheduled for Saturday, May 28.

The school board used Educational Service District 112 for assistance with advertising and recruitment. The ESD has released the following details of the finalists’ backgrounds:

Keene served as principal of Ilwaco Junior/Senior High School from 1988-1992. He is director of operations and planning in Camas, Wash., and previously served as principal of Camas High School. Prior to that, he was a high school principal in the Cashmere School District and Waterville School District. He also served as a teacher in the Kennewick School District. Keene holds a master’s degree in school administration from Central Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington.

Pamela Farr has served as director of curriculum and assistant superintendent for the Olympia School District from 1996 to 2004. She left the district last year to pursue training and a superintendent’s position. Prior to that, she served as a teacher and technology specialist in the North Thurston School District. She also held the position of adjunct faculty at Heritage College, Seattle Pacific University and Evergreen State College. She earned her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Washington, a M.Ed. from St. Martin’s College, a M.S.T. in elementary education from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. in science and early childhood from Evergreen State College.

Joseph Kren, of Soda Springs, Idaho is superintendent/principal for the North Gem School District, a position he has held since 2003. Prior to that, he worked at the Idaho School For the Deaf and Blind for 17 years, where he served as a high school/middle school principal, district test coordinator, district safe and drug-free school coordinator, athletic director, teacher and coach. He holds a master’s degree in deaf education from Idaho State University and a bachelor’s degree in deaf education from McMurray College.

Steven Youngblood of Federal Way, Wash., has been assistant superintendent for Clover Park School District, a position he has held since 2001. Prior to that, he served as a middle school principal and curriculum coordinator for Ontario School District.

He holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Seattle University. He has a B.S. from the University of Idaho.