On Mar. 4, The Bengal’s Purr interviewed Lance Hansen, Superintendent of the Lewiston School District, about his transition to the Kennewick School District and final messages to the Lewiston community.
Hansen has worked in education for 33 years, with 18 spent in the Lewiston School District. His roles included two years as assistant principal at Sacajawea Junior High, two years as assistant principal at Lewiston High School, and two years as the high school principal. For eight years, he worked as assistant superintendent, and for the past four years, he has been superintendent. His contributions earned him the 2025 Idaho Superintendent of the Year of Idaho.
The Bengal’s Purr: What initially drew you to the Lewiston School District?
Lance Hansen: “I was working in Moscow as a math teacher and boys’ basketball coach when a junior high position in Lewiston opened up. I reached out to respected mentors, including Coach [Brooks] Malm’s father, Brad Malm, who told me, ‘You need to look at the Lewiston School District. They have a lot of great things to offer.’ That led me to investigate and eventually make the change.”
The Bengal’s Purr: What accomplishments have you been most proud of during your tenure?
Lance Hansen: “I’m most proud of what our kids accomplish. Sitting here with you [at LHS] reminds me of why we do this. I was just talking to second graders about their reading scores, telling them how awesome they were doing. So, if I had to name one accomplishment, it would be the success of our students.”
The Bengal’s purr: What led to your decision to retire?
Lance Hansen: “Age. This is my 33rd year, and when you reach a point where new options open up, you have to consider them. I didn’t plan to retire [ . . . ], but looking back on everything I’ve accomplished, it just felt like the right time. There’s a song that says, ‘Days go slow, the years go fast.’”
The Bengal’s Purr: What are your plans for retirement?
Lance Hansen: “I’ve been named Superintendent of the Kennewick School District. It’s in the Tri-Cities area and serves about 20,000 students, with three traditional high schools, five middle schools, and 17 elementary schools.”
The Bengal’s Purr: What advice would you give LHS students as they prepare for their futures?
Lance Hansen: “Be in the moment and absorb as much as you can. It might not feel like it now, but time moves fast. Take advantage of the opportunities available to you. Not many schools offer the range of opportunities we do. If you want something in life, go for it and prepare for it. My goal has always been for students to leave high school ready for anything—whether that’s welding, entrepreneurship, or higher education.”
The Bengal’s Purr: What message would you like to share with the staff, students, and families of the Lewiston School District as you depart?
Lance Hansen: “Gratitude. I appreciate the opportunity to work with staff and students. This senior class was the first I registered for kindergarten, and now I get to see them graduate—it feels like I’m graduating with them. To the staff, I appreciate the work you do behind the scenes. To the community, thank you for trusting us. Lewiston was one of the few districts to exceed pre-pandemic performance in ISAT scores. That’s because parents trust us to take the next step in educating their students.”
The Bengal’s Purr: What are the district’s biggest opportunities and challenges in the coming years?
Lance Hansen: “The opportunities are endless. We’ve structured the district to ensure all students are learning at high levels. A few years ago, we revisited our mission statement with the community: ‘We will ensure all students are learning at high levels.’ Our vision is to provide an engaging and equitable education in a safe environment every day.
“For challenges, there are always external factors, like legislative decisions, that impact us. Another challenge is preparing students for a future that looks different from what we prepared for years ago.”
The Bengal’s Purr: The board recently selected Tim Sperber as the new superintendent. What advice would you give him?
Lance Hansen: “Tim is an excellent candidate. My advice is to be himself. He should always communicate that our mission is to ensure students are learning at high levels every day. That was my approach, and I trust he will put his own stamp on things on the grounds of his beliefs. ”
