NOVEMBER 2025 | DR. CHRISTINA KISHIMOTO
Dr. Alexa Allman is in her third year as Superintendent of Deer Park School District in the State of Washington. The Deer Park community is in eastern Washington, in a beautiful lake region with a long rural farming history. The school district has 2700 students PK-12, with a student culture of deep school and community engagement. Dr. Allman grew up in the Yakima region in central Washington. Enjoy this conversation as Alexa shares where she finds her support and network, what throughline experiences from childhood led her into education leadership, and how she stays grounded in her passion for student success despite these challenging political times.
Enjoy the conversation with Dr. Kishimoto and Dr. Allman below.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
Dr. Christina Kishimoto (Host):
Hello everyone, it’s Dr. Christina Kishimoto, and welcome to Under the Flamboyan. I’m so excited to be joined today by Dr. Alexa Allman, Superintendent of the Deer Park School District in eastern Washington. Alexa, it’s great to have you here.
Dr. Alexa Allman:
Thank you so much, Christina. I’m happy to be here. Deer Park is about 20 to 25 miles north of Spokane. We’re on the east side of the state, separated from western Washington by the Cascade Mountains. On our side, we get all four seasons — hot summers, cold winters, and right now, a beautiful fall. It’s rural — lots of farmland, space, and a close-knit community.
The Third-Year Perspective
Dr. Kishimoto:
You’re now in your third year as superintendent. How does this year feel compared to the first two?
Dr. Allman:
It’s different in the best way. The first two years are all about listening and learning. By year three, you’ve built relationships, clarified your vision, and now it’s time to implement. We’ve set our goals and are holding each other accountable to reach them.
You also start to feel more grounded — your board knows you, your staff knows you, and you know your community. There’s a confidence that comes from understanding the people and the rhythm of the work.
A Small District with Big Spirit
Dr. Kishimoto:
Tell us about your students and the culture of Deer Park.
Dr. Allman:
We’re a small district of about 2,700 students, and because of that, our kids do so many things. They’re busy — and they’re deeply involved in the community. The opportunities they have compared to what I had growing up are amazing.
They’re at school from early morning until late at night, whether it’s FFA, DECA, sports, or other activities. The chances for students to engage outside the regular school day are phenomenal, and they take advantage of every one of them. When I hear what they’re involved in, I’m amazed — and I often say, “How do you fit academics into your day?”
