Leader in Thurston County’s biggest school district resigned. What happens now?

The North Thurston Public Schools board, which gathered Tuesday at River Ridge High School, set in motion a plan to find a new District 2 director by late March.

The school board voted without discussion to accept Tim Bullus’ resignation. Bullus, who has decided to become a police officer, won the District 2 seat in November over fellow candidate Jeremy Ryan. Bullus then realized he would be unable to fulfill the duties of a school director and resigned.

“While I am honored and was hoping to make it work, the time required and the responsibilities of my new career in law enforcement, including the police Academy and my training schedule during my first year post Academy would make it almost impossible for me to consistently make meetings,” Bullus said in his resignation letter.

Now, the school district, the largest in the county, is accepting applications and nominations for the next District 2 director. Information about requirements, how to apply or nominate someone and to determine if you live in District 2 can be found on the North Thurston website.

District 2 includes Woodland, Seven Oaks and Evergreen Forest elementary schools, the district map shows.

So who might be interested in filling the seat? During Tuesday’s meeting, The Olympian reached out to former District 2 candidate Ryan and he said he would consider it.

“There are so many wonderful things about NTPS,” he said by text. “One area of growth for sure is its implementation of special services. Special education has always been close to my heart as a special education teacher and father of a child with autism.”

He said his loss to Bullus was disappointing and that after the election he “mentally laid to rest” any thought of becoming a school director, but he added that he would think it over.

Application and nomination forms can be found online, or picked up at the district office at 305 College St. NE.

Those forms then must be returned to the same office by 3 p.m. Feb. 27. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Jennifer Baird at 360-412-4413 to schedule an orientation meeting with Superintendent Troy Oliver, the district information reads.

Other important dates:

• March 3: Application and nomination screening.
• March 10: Interviews.
• March 24: Appointment and installation of District 2 director by vote of remaining board directors.

The successful applicant will then have to decide whether to run for re-election in November 2027, according to district information.

At the conclusion of Tuesday’s meeting, school board President Esperanza Badillo-Diiorio was asked what prospective applicants should know about the director position.

“I would tell them to make sure they have a passion for their community, and with that passion, bring it here, because this is where it counts,” she said.