Enumclaw School District board names Dr. Mark Wenzel superintendent, approves waivers, GMP amendment and new elementary name

The Enumclaw School District Board voted May 18 to approve three resolutions — including two 180‑school‑day waivers and a guaranteed maximum price amendment for a construction project — authorized a special inspections and testing contract, adopted several updated policies on second reading and formally named the district’s new elementary school "Evergreen Trail Blazers."

The meeting also included the announcement that the board selected Dr. Mark Wenzel as the district’s next superintendent after a multi‑month national search. "We're really excited to have Doctor Mark Wenzel to be our next superintendent of the district," the board chair said during remarks about the selection process, which included community forums and survey input.

Why it matters: The 180‑day waivers affect how the district schedules student learning and teacher collaboration for specific grades; the GMP amendment and the special inspections contract move construction oversight and contracting for district projects into their next phases; the school‑naming marks a final local decision on branding and community identity for the new building.

The board took consolidated action on three resolutions described on the agenda as: "resolution 11 68" (a 180‑school‑day waiver for transitional kindergarten), "resolution 1 1 6 9" (a 180‑school‑day waiver for high school grades that allows incoming 9th graders their own full day), and "resolution 11 70" (approval of the guaranteed maximum price and authorization to execute a GMP amendment). A board member moved to approve the three resolutions and, after discussion, the board passed them. The transcript records the board chair announcing, "All 3 resolutions have passed."

On contracting, the board approved a special inspections and testing contract intended to verify materials and construction conform to required standards for the district’s current building work. A board member thanked staff for clarifying the GMP authorization before the vote.

Naming and policy votes: After a community committee reviewed more than 250 suggested names and provided three finalists, Director Fisher moved to name Elementary School No. 6 and its mascot the Evergreen Trail Blazers. The motion was seconded and adopted without recorded opposition. Director Fisher described the committee’s analytic process and said, "it's community school and we hope you'll love the name Evergreen Trail Blazers."

On policy, the board held a first reading of several policies and then, on second reading, approved revisions including policy 18115 (ethical conduct for school directors), policy 3205 (prohibited harassment of students — as presented), policy 6570 (property and data management), and policy 6955 (maintenance of facilities records). Board members noted the second‑reading changes were edits to existing policies rather than brand‑new provisions.

Routine business: The board also received its internal financial update, authorized payroll and vouchers, and approved a consent agenda covering personnel actions, curriculum adoption proposals (middle school ELA), a district surplus listing (vehicles, equipment and instruments among many items), donations and a proposed fee schedule for the 2026–27 school year.

What’s next: The district will implement the approved GMP amendment and inspections work as part of its construction oversight; school‑naming materials and banners will be ordered and the new name will be used in future communications. The board entered an executive session to review an applicant’s qualifications and adjourned at 8:56 p.m.