The 2020-2021 School Year Launches with Four New Superintendents in the OESD Region

New Superintendents 2020 collage
Kathy Lorton

Kathy Lorton, Queets-Clearwater School District

“FULL CIRCLE” says Superintendent Kathy Lorton.  She began her administrative career in 1994 at Queets-Clearwater School District in Jefferson County.  She then traveled to Grays Harbor County and worked as an administrator in Taholah and Oakville, spending the last eight years as the Superintendent in Oakville, retiring in 2017.  Now, she has returned to Queets-Clearwater School District on a part-time basis to work with students, staff and the community.  She stated that “It is a pure joy to be back learning from everyone in education. Go Tigers!”

Queets-Clearwater School District information can be found here:  http://www.queetsclearwaterschool.org/about.html

Mark Decker

Mark Decker, Quileute Tribal School (QTS)

A world traveler who returned to Washington in 2019 after serving as an International Principal in Saudi Arabia, he now leads the Quileute Tribal School in times of COVID-19.  New Superintendent Mark Decker noted that after working in the Middle East and avoiding terrorist attacks, to COVID-19, he is not sure which presents the bigger challenge.  As the 2020-21 school year has begun, he shared, “At QTS, we are focused on our Mission/Vision.  We are working hard on Global Skills, Quileute Language and Quileute Culture.”  

For more information, Superintendent Decker Reflections are shared here:  https://quileutetribalschool.org/superintendent-decker-reflections/

Sandy Gessner-Crabtree

Sandy Gessner-Crabtree, Port Townsend School District

With 32 years of experience working in the education profession (including Bremerton School District and the Olympic ESD 114), Sandy Gessner-Crabtree will serve as Superintendent of Port Townsend School District during the 2020-21 school year.  Read more about Superintendent Gessner-Crabtree’s appointment in the Port Townsend Leader here: https://www.ptleader.com/stories/pths-announces-new-short-term-superintendent,68021

Find out more about Port Townsend School District here:  https://www.ptschools.org/home

Dr. David Engle

Dr. David Engle, Chimacum School District

“It’s an honor to be assisting the Chimacum Board of Directors in making a successful leadership transition for the future of the district,” notes Superintendent Engle.  After retiring as Port Townsend School District Superintendent in 2016, his leadership skills and experience are added value as this year’s Acting Superintendent at Chimacum School District.  More information about Superintendent Engle can be found here:  https://www.csd49.org/News/2137#sthash.4TZeBCud.5FyILJu9.dpbs

Find out more about Chimacum School District here:  https://www.csd49.org/

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