A former Kennewick High School principal will be the newest member of the Washington State School Board. 

Van Cummings of Richland was chosen by members of local school boards in Eastern Washington to serve on the state board. He begins his term in January. He replaces Ryan Brault, a former Pasco School District board member, who has been on the state board since 2017. 

“Van brings a rich and extensive set of experiences to the board,” said Mary Fertakis, chair of the state board, in a statement. “His dedication to serving students at all levels of the K–12 system will be a great asset to our work, and we are excited to have him join the team.” 

Cummings spent 40 years working in public education. His experience includes teaching English language arts to fourth- through sixth-graders during Othello School District’s Migrant Summer School and helping establish the Air Force JROTC program at two high schools, including Kennewick High, which he retired from in 2015. 

Cummings has continued to serve in education as an interim administrator at schools and also as a long-term substitute teacher in Kennewick. 

“My motivation to serve on the State Board of Education comes from my lifelong commitment to community service,” Cummings said in a statement. “I believe school districts are best supported through strong local control and that all students deserve access to a free and appropriate public education.”