Lakeland names school superintendent

RATHDRUM — After working in Sandpoint's Lake Pend Oreille School District for 23 years, Becky Meyer will become superintendent of the Lakeland Joint School District.

Meyer, who has been Lake Pend Oreille's assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for nearly two years and was the principal at Sandpoint High School for eight years before that, will start at Lakeland on July 1.

"I am super excited about the opportunity to work in the Lakeland district," Meyer said. "I've already received several emails from staff and administrators, and everyone seems really nice."

Meyer will replace Brad Murray, who will retire at the end of the school year on June 30. He has worked for 36 years in education, including 26 years at Lakeland. Murray has been Lakeland's superintendent the past two years and was the district's assistant superintendent for seven years before that.

Meyer said she didn't seek out the Lakeland job, but rather someone from the district contacted her and encouraged her to apply.

"I looked into it, talked it over with my husband and thought I'd throw my name in the ring," she said. "I know several administrators in the district. It was a very rigorous interview process — almost nine hours. They were super serious about getting the right person."

As assistant superintendent of teaching and learning at Lake Pend Oreille, Meyer developed a district-wide professional development program initiated by the needs of the staff and district goals. She believes that experience will be an asset for Lakeland.

"The Lakeland Joint School District is known as one of the top districts in the state," she wrote in her curriculum vitae. "To continue this trend, emphasis on maintaining a strong staff at all levels and proliferating the culture of teamwork and value of all staff and students such as prescribed in the 'Lakeland Way' is essential."

Meyer was also the principal at Sandpoint High from June 2006 to June 2014, the principal at Lake Pend Oreille Alternative High School from August 2002 to June 2006 and a counselor in the district from August 1994 to August 2001.

"One of my strengths is the ability to build an effective team that is motivated to work together for a common goal," she wrote. "I focus on ensuring team members feel valued and appreciated and understand the members are fundamental to success of the group's mission."

Meyer has a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif.; a master's degree in education from City University in Bellevue, Wash.; a doctorate in education from the University of Idaho; and a superintendent endorsement from Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho.

Meyer's husband, Jeff, is manager for Interstate Concrete and Asphalt in Dover. She has a daughter who attends the University of Utah and another daughter who will graduate from SHS this year. She also has a step-daughter who is a freshman at Sandpoint High.

Four different interview teams consisting of teachers, administrators, district office personnel and the school board interviewed candidates.

Others interviewed included: Lisa Sexton, Lakeland assistant superintendent; J.T. Stroder, Gardiner (Mont.) superintendent; and Byron Stutzman, Crook County (Wyo.) School District superintendent.