Submitted by Washington Association of School Administrators.
Clover Park School District Superintendent Ron Banner has been named the 2025 Superintendent of the Year by the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA). The announcement was made during WASA’s Fall Superintendent Component meeting in Spokane.
The annual award is designed to recognize the outstanding leadership of active, front-line superintendents and pay tribute to those who lead Washington’s public schools.
In announcing this year’s selection, WASA Executive Director Joel Aune noted that through continuous improvement and innovative initiatives, Banner and his team are building a stronger, more united community that supports public education and champions equity for all.
“Ron Banner’s leadership in the Clover Park School District exemplifies an extraordinary commitment to equity and inclusion that extends beyond the classroom, bringing together diverse communities and ensuring that every student, regardless of background, receives the support they need to succeed,” said Aune. “His strategic implementation of initiatives like Universal Design for Learning, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, and Professional Learning Communities reflect his dedication to closing achievement gaps and fostering an inclusive educational environment where all students can excel.”
Aune added, “Ron’s vision and unwavering focus on equitable access has not only transformed outcomes for students but also strengthened the entire community’s trust in the district’s mission.”
“We extend our congratulations to Ron and the entire Clover Park school community on this well-deserved honor,” said Aune. “He is a class act and an exemplary representation of the superintendency.”
Banner conveyed his gratitude by emphasizing that this award is a reflection of the collective dedication of the entire school district community.
“Receiving the Washington State Superintendent of the Year award is an incredible honor, but this recognition truly belongs to the dedicated educators, staff, students, families, and community members of our district,” said Banner. “Their unwavering commitment to excellence, and equity in educating our students, make our schools a place where every child can thrive. This award is a testament to the collective passion, teamwork, and hard work that drive our success every day. I am proud to serve alongside such an inspiring team, and I share this celebration with each of them.”
Located just south of Tacoma, the Clover Park School District (CPSD) serves 12,800 students in grades pre-K through 12, drawing from the communities of Lakewood and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. With six elementary schools, two comprehensive high schools, an International Baccalaureate school, and a K-12 online academy, Clover Park serves a highly diverse community with an emphasis on educational options and a commitment to equity.
Banner became Clover Park superintendent in 2019. Prior to that, he served in a variety of district leadership roles, including assistant principal at Woodbrook Middle School, principal of Southgate Elementary and Mann Middle School, assistant superintendent of elementary schools, and deputy superintendent.
Banner earned his Washington State Superintendent Certificate from Seattle Pacific University in 2020. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington State University and a Master’s Degree in Teaching (Curriculum and Instruction) from Grand Canyon University.
In addition to his educational experience, Banner is actively involved in several organizations, including the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and the Lakewood Rotary. He has also served in leadership positions on Lakewood’s Promise Board, the Lakewood Multicultural Board, and the Lakewood Family YMCA Advisory Board.
Actively involved in WASA, Banner has served as WASA Region President and on WASA’s Legislation and Finance Committee. He also serves on the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Governing Board. Banner has received several accolades over the years, including the 2024 WASA Learning from Leaders Award, the 2023 WASA PEMCO Robert J. Handy Most Effective Administrator Award, and the 2022 WASA Award of Merit.
As the state’s Superintendent of the Year, Banner will be a candidate for the 2025 American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Superintendent of theYear Award. The national award will be announced in February during the AASA National Conference on Education in New Orleans, Louisiana.
In conjunction with the award, Washington’s Superintendent of the Year will receive a $1,000 check from D.A. Davidson & Company to use toward a school or educational program of their choice.
Recent recipients of the WASA Superintendent of the Year Award include:
- 2024: Laurie Dent, Sumner-Bonney Lake SD
- 2023: Adam Swinyard, Spokane SD
- 2022: Susan Enfield, Highline SD
- 2021: Michelle Reid, Northshore SD (Also named National Superintendent of the Year)
- 2020: Greg Baker, Bellingham PS
- 2019: Michael Nelson, Enumclaw SD
A complete list of Washington Superintendent of the Year recipients is available online.
About the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA)
WASA (www.wasa-oly.org) is a non-profit organization committed to the development of quality education through professional leadership. Members benefit from a supportive community of professional leaders working to provide insightful, valuable training, support, and resources. WASA also strives to sustain a positive impact onlegislative and community leaders. Membership is open to education administrators in Washington state.
Adding personal/neighborhood CONGRATS, CPSD Superintendent Ron Banner.
No surprise here. He is an amazing person and leader. Congratulations Ron.
Congratulations! You’ve done so much to improve not only student participation and learning, but staff morale. We’ve needed you for ever so long. Thank you.
The facts speak plainly as to the value of WSSDA awards for “Board of Distinction” and now “Washington State Superintendent of the Year” with respect to academic achievement. Below are the school districts whose superintendents have won the award between 2019 and 2025 and their district’s academic ranking. (% = percentile)
2019 2024
2025: Clover Park SD: 34.4% 25.9%
2024: Bonney Lake SD: 91.4% 93.1%
2023: Spokane SD: 50.4% 50.2%
2022: Highline SD: 24.6% 22.2%
2021: Northshore SD: 93.9% 96%
2020: Bellingham PS: 59.8% 65.2%
2019: Enumclaw SD: 79.0% 70.4%
Out of the seven awardees since 2019, five have been above to well above average academically. Two, to include CPSD are well below average and falling academically. What exactly are WSSDA selection criteria if not the academic effectiveness of districts and their superintendents? It is one thing to get an “A” for effort; something entirely different for getting an “A” for accomplishment.
Oh wow! It didn’t take long for this naysayer to burst the Superintendent’s bubble! Perhaps Mr. Arbeeny would like the Superintendent to take the students’ tests for them. What on Earth is your problem John? Ron Banner has been through hell as Superintendent of this District just from the attacks of you and Lakewood Cares’ members! Now he gets nominated for the most prestigious award a superintendent can get, then wins it! And what do you do? Go after him over test scores. In my 26 years in the classroom, I can tell you that I had so many students who got sick or just so nervous because tests absolutely frightened them! I wish you could have met the number of students I had who showed up exhausted because they worked the night before the tests, or students who woke up in the family car, or came to school hungry or with an extremely sore mouth because they had dental problems or even the students who came to school with lice in their hair.
Do you have any idea how many students Ron Banner has met since he became Superintendent? Do you have any idea how many schools he visits in a month? How many Lakewood City events have you been to and seen Ron there supporting our kids? Have you met any of the Superintendent’s Youth Advisory Council? Have you even heard of it? These are students from all four of the high schools in the District, from which he hears how the schools are doing from students’ points of view!
There is so much more to school success than passing tests! We have students who excel at so many things other than sitting for hours reading tests and marking what they believe is the right answer. I wasn’t always able to teach the things I really excelled in, but I followed the curriculum so my students would have the opportunity to please the community which had people like you who wanted the scores in our district to be in the 90 plus percentile. It just doesn’t work that way John!
I was going to suggest that you might volunteer to help in the schools, but they just don’t need that negativity. So then I thought that perhaps you could find a place in Bonny Lake, Northshore or even Enumclaw (and yes I see that they are just in the 70 percentiles). Then you could take on all the issues that the C. A. R. S. of your Cares’ group. Before you do though, you may want to ask Google about those places’ test scores in 2025!
Oh! And by the way, it was not I who babysat the “Arbini” children, it was my sister.
OK then what’s your take on the academic extremes between school districts and their superintendents who have won this award?
What I find is that the greatest resistance to the value of testing comes from those whose students do not do well on tests. Yet they fail to tell you the objective alternative to tests as a way of gauging academic progress.
The same tests that are marginalized as the objective basis for determining academic achievement, are now the same ones applauded for determining Student Growth Percentile (SGP) which is a relative comparison of academic growth between students and schools.
Unfortunately SGP gives no hint of the academic start point or resulting academic end point over time which is perhaps why it is so popular with the State’s education establishment. With SGP everything is relative rather than objective. No better way to avoid responsibility than by presenting a moving target.
This is the same sleight-of-hand that OSPI pulled off with the new academic metric “Students showing foundational grade level knowledge and skills or above” on their report card by adding in academically below average school into average and above average schools to inflate academic performance.
How dare you return to spit your statistical garbage on our Superintendent. Congratulations Mr. Ron Banner, Superintendent of Education at Clover Park School District, who was recently named Superintendent of the Year 2024, a recognition that underscores his unwavering dedication to the students, staff, and community he serves. Under his leadership, the district has seen remarkable growth and success — from academic improvements to stronger community engagement — all while fostering a culture of inclusion and support for every student.
However, it is disheartening to see some individuals attempt to diminish the profound impact that Mr. Banner has made in this district. Why is it that some seek to overlook or undermine the very real and tangible successes that Mr. Banner has brought to Clover Park School District? His leadership is a testament to what is possible when we prioritize students, educators, and community values. Dismissing his accomplishments is not just an attack on his work, but on the students and families who have directly benefited from his efforts.
Superintendent Banner’s leadership is about much more than just statistics or rankings — it’s about the lives he’s touched and the opportunities he’s helped create for all students, particularly students of color who see in him a reflection of their own potential. It’s about ensuring that all voices are heard that every child has a chance to succeed, and that the community is truly invested in the well-being and future of its students.
Rather than undermine his success, we should celebrate it. The success of the Clover Park School District under his guidance is not just a personal victory for Mr. Banner, but a collective achievement for the entire community. It reflects what can happen when leadership is rooted in a genuine care for people, in a desire to see others rise, and in the belief that every student has the potential to succeed.
It’s time to focus on the real work being done — the positive impact, the continued progress, and the lives that are being changed. We should all stand behind the efforts to build a brighter future for every student in Clover Park and recognize that Superintendent Ron Banner is leading the way.
I want to express my sincere appreciation for Superintendent Banner. His commitment to student success, and tireless efforts to improve our schools, have made a lasting impact on both the students and the entire community. Keep being amazing and making us proud.
Congratulations, Ron Banner! All Lakewood citizens who are actively involved mentoring and working with our students can give witness as to why you are so deserving of this recognition. Thank you for your dedication to this community and to our students.
After reading this announcement and subsequest comments, it would seem that this award is based upon considerable efforts by Superintendent Banner to establish programs to implement Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Given declining academic achievement for the Clover Park School District since 2016 as demonstrated by Mr. Arbeeny’s past articles, (Mr. Banner became superintendent in 2019 according to this article.) it remains to be seen whether emphasis on DEI programs will result in long-term academic improvement.
Mr. Arbeeny’s articles of substance regarding both Washington State’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and SchoolDigger, statistics as well as comments to the articles have promoted valuable public awareness and interest in both challenges and efforts of the District. Only through transparency will the District gain the interest, trust and support of the community.
John.. you really need to give the attacks on Ron Banner a rest. Your constant misinformation and skewed data has not done anything to improve student achievement.
Ron is by far the most engaged, motivating and hands on superintendent that CPSD has ever had. Students are learning and heading off to careers or higher education institutions of their choice in numbers that have NEVER been this high
.I am hoping that you will consider taking your negative energy and encourage the community to dig and be a part of our students education by reading to students or assisting in our schools. The schools belong to our community and i’m very curious as to what you did while on the city council or what you have done to help us close the achievement or opportunity gap. Complaining without any plans for action is a very empty and negative. Our kids deserve much better than what you have been doing …
“…misinformation and skewed data…”? Really Carol? Please give specific examples if you can instead of generalities and baseless assertions/opinions. You were a long time Board member specifically for over the 20 years, the last decade of which saw the steady decline in CPSD academic performance.
You may remember that while I was on City Council (2004/2008) that I sat in a joint meeting with the CPSD Board (2005). When the facilitator asked participants what was the primary function of CPSD many said “educate children”, “prepare them for adulthood” “qualify for college” and the like. The then superintendent, Ph.D. McEwen stated to a shocked audience “Support social justice”. It was then that I realized CPSD was in trouble.
You may recall it was that same City Council that supported the bond issue in 2006 for new buildings with the proviso that CPSD concentrate on raising academic performance which even then was lagging. Here’s my statement supporting that bond in 2006:
“Attached is a copy of the Council resolution in support of the school bond passed unanimously on 16 January 2006. It addresses the greater context of Council’s support, not for just new buildings, but a comprehensive approach towards improving CPSD to include first and foremost academic achievement. This resolution was hammered out through joint meetings between council and board members and frank discussions which touched on sensitive matters to both sides. The agreement to be honest and forthcoming and arrive at a resolution everyone could sign on to gives this bond the best chance of passing. Ultimately the choice is up to you the voter. As for me, I will be voting for the bond. “
The buildings got built but today CPSD has not lived up to its promise academically.
The particular City of Lakewood resolution mentioned previously is #2006-1, dated 1/17/2006 entitled:
“A resolution expressing support for the CPSD bond levy coming before the voters on February 7th, 2006.”
https://digitalarchives.wa.gov/DigitalObject/Download/8469d97d-567e-4500-9bb0-9df49e09de75
Ron Banner is an exceptional superintendent, and I’m proud to serve under his leadership. His genuine dedication to listening to students and addressing their needs is truly inspiring. He consistently shows up with integrity, vision, and a deep commitment to our community. What he is building will create lasting, positive outcomes for our kids and their families.
Congratulations, Superintendent Banner! We see your dedication and hard work every day to ensure that all students in the Clover Park School District receive the best education possible. Your commitment to the community you serve is truly unmatched. I will not let hateful or mean-spirited attacks overshadow what should be a moment of recognition and celebration for this prestigious award.
Mr. Arbeeny, contrary to your beliefs, I can confidently attest to the progress happening in our schools. We are diligently analyzing real-time data and making impactful decisions to enhance teaching and learning. It’s time to move beyond keyboard criticisms and public Zoom comments and gain a genuine understanding of the incredible work being done by the staff of Clover Park School District under Ron Banner’s leadership.
Meghan: so if you have the “real-time data” please present it, don’t just talk about having it. Let the public in on it. If that data exists why isn’t CPSD presenting that data in substantive articles instead of superfluous anecdotal “puff pieces”? Why aren’t you and folks like you, apparently in the “know”, writing articles and putting that data out for public consumption? We’re paying for it; we’d like to know too. I’ve presented sourced factual data in my articles and responses and seldom have they been countered by the CPSD or its supporters with their factual data. Generalities and complements only go so far in improving CPSD academically. Ultimately it is about academics: that’s what we expect from our school district.
Congratulations, Mr. Banner!!! I am so proud of this amazing achievement for you. You have shown us all how to persevere and accomplish amazing things. I am sorry to see the level of vitriol flying around that is threatening to overshadow your accomplishment. Education is a calling and takes persistence and mental fortitude to ensure that the absolute best is being sought for our students. No matter where we all end up in our careers, the students that have been in our classrooms, or graced our hallways are always going to be OUR kids. You have shown that time and time again in your interactions and the strong relationships you have built with students and families.
Our district is actively engaging with families and forming community partnerships to support our kids. Your timeless efforts have not gone unnoticed and naysayers need to look at the whole picture of what has been accomplished over the years. We have a large population of low- income families, Mckinney Vento families, military, special needs, MLL families, and students that have recently immigrated into the United States. Every staff member, from the top down, has strived to support our kids, and that should be lauded, not vilified.
Know that you have support from others and that we see the value you have brought to the district.
Dr. Walker:
“We have a large population of low- income families, Mckinney Vento families, military, special needs, MLL families, and students that have recently immigrated into the United States.”
Please stop perpetuating these myths because they are all excuses for academic failure and are not based upon facts. You can find CPSD demographic facts between 2016 and 2024 on the OSPI Report Card:
https://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/ReportCard/ViewSchoolOrDistrict/100047
Demographic changes shown amount to less than a 1% change in any category in any given year between 2016 and 2024. Lakewood and CPSD demographics did not change significantly or dramatically between 2016 and 2024 to account for a drop in CPSD academic ranking in 2016 of 46.3 percentile to 25.9 percentile in 2024, a 44% drop in 9 years. Nor does it account for the drop from students meeting state standards in 2016 (ELA:48.8%, math:40.8%) to that of 2024 (ELA:37%, math: 25.6%).
I find it ironic that proponents of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), a key component of the CPSD DEI program, haven’t learned to take responsibility for their actions as is required of their students. Rather than introspection, they blame poverty, race, ethnicity, homelessness, mobility, military, ELL/MLL and a host of other excuses for their failure to achieve academic results. Perhaps it is they who need to take their own SEL classes.
Mr Arbeeny,
I work in one of the highest poverty schools in the district. I am also a self-contained special education teacher and I am a staunch advocate for SpEd, MLL, and poverty-stricken families. I have seen with my own eyes the level of care that Mr. Banner has shown my students. If you have never been into one of these classrooms and worked with my wonderful children, please refrain from touting data at me. I am well-versed in data collection and see evidence of data-based strategies at work with my students’ growth. I have seen Mr. Banner using data-based interventions and strategies to support staff and students. Explaining that we are a diverse district is not an excuse. It is merely stating that we cater toward ALL students and their diverse needs. SGP looks at progress over perfection. Depending on where students start in their academic journey, progress is the key to success and should not be invalidated.
Dr. Walker:
I am not “invalidating” your success with students. Thank you for your effort and success. However anecdotal success does not necessarily denote systemic success.
What I am calling attention to is that most of CPSD schools are failing academically by any metric used to assess academics. SGP on the other hand is a measure of relative progress not an objective measure of performance. Indeed I have serious questions about the linkage between academic performance and SGP scoring based upon OSPI data. Lake Louise Elementary is an example of a school with high SGP and simultaneously falling academic assessment.
I do not expect “perfection” academically and neither does OSPI. However I do expect more than a CPSD academic ranking of 25.9% (percentile) or Tyee Park Elementary ranking of 5.1% or Lochburn Middle School ranking of 0.4% (533rd out of 535 State middle schools) or Clover Park High School ranking of 3.4%. Those are inexcusable regardless of the metric used.
These three schools in particular and CPSD in general have not shown academic improvement since 2016 despite pockets of progress, as you have alluded to, within the District.This is a wide spread trend that has gone unchecked since 2016 and prior without significant improvement.
Despite all the well intentioned attempts to change the “culture” of CPSD, the bottom line is still the same: are student academically prepared for life after graduation? If that’s not happening the the emphasis needs to change.
Congratulations Mr. Banner! Thank you so much being there for our kids, staff and the Clover Park School District community. As soon as I heard about your award I knew there would negativity ad nauseum from the usual suspects. Really an honor to know you.
Liz, as many already know in this community, the negativity you point out comes from the very man and his political club members who participated in those racist LakewoodCares emails about our employees of color. They got caught red-handed and publically humiliated. These documents are a part of public record. The disgusting low-level behavior these CARES’ members demonstrated when they thought no one would ever find out, tells who they are and why they are having fits seeing Ron Banner and our current school board receiving recognition. No wonder Arbeeny’s ego is in total meltdown.
As a former school board director I voted to hire Superintendent Banner for his present position. I did this because of his record while serving and leading in CPSD. Specifically, his work as principal at Mann Middle School. The data supported the efforts to turn Mann Middle School around. Sadly some of the key staff from the Mann turnaround no longer work in CPSD. One question that we should ask is why did they leave? Since being gerrymandered off the CPSD Board I have been approached by former teaching staff who have given up the teaching profession because CPSD is going in the wrong direction. We as a community should look for opportunities to hear from staff who have changed careers because our children are not being served well. I think we can all agree that Superintendent Banner has put in a lot of effort but effort without objective and measurable results is failure. Mr Arbeeny has presented data that CPSD has reported to OSPI which we all hoped would be better than the past but we it is not. I would like to look at attendance which the data shows is not improving. As a School Board Director I heard teachers say how can I teach if the children aren’t here. We as a community should ask why are the children not coming to school? Yes there are social and emotional issues that need to be resolved but that is a community issue and our schools are a part of the solution. Our schools per Washington State Constitution is to provide a basic education. The data indicates we are not meeting this expectation. The district did implement a DEI initiative which I personally voted against and which many across our nation are rejecting today. My suggested goal would be to improve attendance and as a minimum teach our children to read. When a child can read they can always go to the library and learn what they need to know.
Thank you Mr. Banner for everything you have done, both for the district and the POC and minority students within the community. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. You have continued to show up as not only a great superintendent and leader in the district , but as a role model for young people that don’t see someone often that looks like them in such a position.Your work in low income areas and your continual support for families within the district is proven with this win, showing your focus and connection to those within the CPSD. The level of care and consideration you show for families, staff and students is clear.