A Message from Chris Fritsch, Superintendent

August 2026

Welcome Back to the 2026–2027 School Year

Dear Castle Rock School District Families,

On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff and our entire staff, welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! I hope you and your family have enjoyed a safe, restful, and memorable summer. We are excited to welcome our students back to school and begin another year of learning, growth, and opportunity.

As Superintendent, I am honored that you entrust us with your children each day. This is a responsibility we never take lightly. Every decision we make is guided by our commitment to providing each student with a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environment where they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We are committed to maintaining schools where every student feels valued, respected, and supported while providing classrooms that foster perseverance, innovation, and academic excellence.

Equally important is our commitment to improving student achievement and ensuring every graduate is prepared for success beyond high school. Whether our students choose college, technical training, military service, or enter the workforce, our goal is to provide the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.

This school year, families will also see a number of initiatives designed to better support students and strengthen communication with our community. Over the coming weeks, we will share additional information regarding:

  •         Our Food Service Meal Program, as we no longer qualify for the Community Engagement Provision that allowed all students K-12 free meals regardless of income.
  •         ParentSquare, our new districtwide communication platform, will make it easier than ever to receive important school and district information in one convenient location.
  •         SchoolLinks, our new High School and Beyond Plan platform for students in grades 7–12, helping students explore career interests, develop educational plans, and prepare for life after graduation.
  •         Qmlativ, we will be converting to a new student information system known as Qmlativ or “Q” after spring break.

We are also grateful for the continued support of our Castle Rock community. Thanks to your support of our school levies, we were able to complete several important facility improvement projects during the summer that will benefit students for years to come, including:

  •         Begin the replacing of the façade at Castle Rock High School.
  •         Critical elevator improvements at Castle Rock Middle School.
  •         Replacement of the districtwide public address and intercom system to enhance communication and safety throughout our schools.

These projects represent your investment in our students, staff, and community, and we sincerely appreciate your confidence and partnership.

The success of our schools depends on the strong relationships we share with our families and community. We encourage parents and guardians to stay connected, communicate with your child’s school, participate in school events, and partner with us throughout the year. Together, we can ensure every student reaches their fullest potential.

Thank you for your continued trust, encouragement, and support of the Castle Rock School District. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to another outstanding year of learning, growth, and success.

Welcome back, and best wishes for a wonderful 2026–2027 school year!

Respectfully,

Chris Fritsch, Superintendent
Castle Rock School District

Superintendent FAQs

No, pay for staff, including school administrator pay, comes from a completely separate budget than capital levy funds. Capital levies must be voter-approved and must fund the facilities’ projects, maintenance, and improvements voters intended to fund. Capital levies do not pay for any staff salaries.

Other Educational Programs & Operations levies that Castle Rock relies on must also be used for the purposes voters intended, such as extracurricular activities, technology and curriculum, student transportation, and specific staff positions in Special Education and Health and Safety.

The school superintendent’s salary is completely separate from and is not funded by the capital levy.

In the sports world, Castle Rock is a school district with a 1-A high school, meaning it has between 225-449 high school students and competes in athletic events against other school districts of like size. According to the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), the current Castle Rock School District superintendent receives less in compensation than the current average superintendent in a public school district of similar size in Washington State. The average salary for a Washington State public school superintendent of a district of a similar size to Castle Rock is $189,229-$267,434.

A public school superintendent’s salary is determined by the district’s school board and is outlined in a contract. As with any position, one of the goals of the process is to make sure that the salary a school district offers is comparable to the salaries of superintendents in neighboring districts of similarly-sized school districts. According to the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), the current Castle Rock School District superintendent receives less in compensation than the current average superintendent in a public school district of similar size in Washington State.

Like other public school districts in the state of Washington, the Castle Rock School Board is responsible for facilitating the selection of a superintendent based on standard desired qualifications required by the state and set by the board and a competitive application process, coupled with community engagement opportunities. Progress and the superintendent’s contract are reviewed annually.

There are several degrees and qualifications necessary to be a superintendent of a public school district in Washington State. To be eligible, the candidate must:

  • Have a master’s degree from an accredited college or university,
  • Complete a state-approved superintendent preparation program,
  • Previously or currently hold a teaching, Education Staff Associate (ESA), principal or administrator certificate,
  • Pass a thorough background check, and
  • Submit an application, letter of interest, and reference(s).

Each superintendent’s pay breakdown is unique to each individual public school district, is intended to attract applicants to the position, and is based on available budget, as determined by the school board. While some superintendent positions (both locally and across the state) offer additional compensation opportunities in the form of stipends for professional expenses, school superintendent contracts and compensation packages DO NOT include money for things like clothing and housing. Differing approaches to compensation make it difficult to compare the salaries of school leaders as an apples-to-apples comparison, however, it is always Castle Rock’s goal to use any of its funding appropriately and wisely.