North Thurston school board says farewell to one district leader and welcomes another
Family, friends and staff gathered for a North Thurston school board meeting on Tuesday, ready with gifts and parting words for retiring Superintendent Debra Clemens, and an official welcome for her replacement, Troy Oliver.
Clemens, who announced her retirement earlier this year, is superintendent through the end of the month; Oliver starts July 1. Oliver has been serving as the district’s assistant superintendent of operations.
School board president Gretchen Maliska checked off a list of district accomplishments during Clemens’ tenure, including the establishment of a dual-language Spanish/English program, now offered at Lydia Hawk and Mountain View elementary schools; the complete modernization of North Thurston High School, Pleasant Glade Elementary and Komachin Middle School, and the modernization currently underway at River Ridge High School.
“Deb, I’m truly grateful for all of your contributions,” Maliska said. “You have made a lasting impact on our district, and we will carry forward the values and principles you have instilled upon us.”
Board member Jennifer Thomas praised Clemens for the example she set.
“Perhaps the one thing that I’m most proud of is you showing the power of women in leadership, and that is something amazing that will stick with me for a long time,” Thomas said.
Former Nisqually tribal council member Hanford McCloud presented Clemens with a tribal pendant, saying she did a wonderful job, not only for the community, but for the district’s relationship with the Nisqually Indian Tribe.
Clemens thanked the staff and board members.
“I am so grateful to all of you for helping me, you know, really achieve the mission of the school district,” she said.
Oliver was sworn in at the end of the meeting. He declined to speak at length to The Olympian, saying he didn’t want to take anything away from Clemens.
“I get to continue to build on the great work that Deb has been working on for the last eight years,” he said, “and I feel honored to have the opportunity.”
Maliska offered praise for Oliver.
“One of Troy’s gifts is his approach to listening,” she said. “He spends time understanding, has deep historical knowledge, and wants to provide solutions that positively impact students, staff and our community. He also understands the importance of being a lifelong learner.”
She said that in his first 90 days on the job he plans to visit each school, host community meetings and get to know community partners.
“The board is confident that he will be an excellent superintendent, and we know our future is bright,” she said.
Oliver’s path to superintendent was an unusual one.
The board offered the job to an Alaska school official who resigned not long after accepting the offer. That forced the board to re-interview Oliver and another finalist before offering him the job.
This story was originally published June 19, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
