North Thurston’s Deb Clemens is a finalist for top job at Capital Region ESD 113
North Thurston Public Schools Superintendent Debra Clemens is a finalist in the search for the next superintendent of Capital Region ESD 113.
ESD 113 is preparing for a leadership transition because current Superintendent Dana Anderson has accepted the position of executive director of the Washington School Information Processing Cooperative, effective July 1.
The Capital Region ESD, based in Tumwater, provides services for 44 school districts, one tribal compact school and approved private schools in Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor, and Pacific counties.
Clemens, who has been superintendent at North Thurston for seven years, is one of four finalists for the job. The others are Kimberly Fry, professional development coordinator at the Washington Association of School Administrators and a former superintendent of Rochester School District; Lester Herndon, superintendent of Tukwila School District; and Richard Staley, superintendent of Oakville School District.
The finalists are set to be interviewed on Friday and a hiring announcement is expected the first week of April, according to the ESD 113 website.
The Olympian reached out to Clemens for comment, but a spokeswoman for North Thurston said Wednesday she wasn’t sure Clemens would comment before Friday’s interview.
Clemens’ application materials have been posted on the ESD website.
“When I consider the opportunity of leading work beyond NTPS, I recognize that communities have become more polarized over equity issues,” she writes. “This is as true in NTPS as it is in neighboring districts. As public school leaders, I believe we must encourage constructive dialogue grounded in understanding and respect.
“I know that CRESD113 is prepared to provide the professional growth and development educators need to continue along this path. It begins with a personal journey; for me, it started in 2016 when I accepted the position of superintendent for NTPS. I knew I was becoming the educational leader for a district with a more diverse student population than I had previously worked in.
“I committed to my professional growth and development, welcomed my cabinet to learn alongside me, and eventually expanded the learning opportunities district-wide to all educators. I am proud that our district has a district-wide equity plan, yet, I know that I wouldn’t have been comfortable leading this work without first beginning my self-reflection and professional growth.”
Clemens’ contract at North Thurston was extended for three years by the school board in January.
