Centralia School Board President Lori Fast swears in Kristy Vetter as interim superintendent Wednesday.
Superintendent of Centralia School District Mark Davalos talks about the replacement levy at a January forum.
Centralia School District Superintendent Mark Davalos will take an extended leave of absence, for medical reasons, until the end of the school year — when he will officially retire. Kristy Vetter, executive director of teaching and learning, will serve as interim superintendent until July 1, when Dr. Lisa Grant officially starts as superintendent, stated a recent press release from the district.
“Mr. Davalos has had a medical procedure planned for some time that requires recovery and recuperation,” said Lori Fast, President of the CSD Board of Directors in the press release. Davalos announced his retirement for the end of the 2019-2020 school year last spring coinciding with the end of his current 5-year contract.
Vetter took her oath of office at a special school board meeting on the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 12. Vetter has been with the district since 2002, serving as executive director of teaching and learning since 2015.
“I have a lot of support from our cabinet team to work through this together, side by side, along with our principals, teachers and all of our staff in the district as we look forward to being able to welcome Dr. Grant on board on July 1,” said Vetter after taking her oath at the school board meeting at the district office in Centralia.
“Mark wrapped up for the rest of the year and he is on some extended medical leave and so Kristy has agreed to step in. She has a pretty long history with the school district and she has good relationships with people,” Fast told The Chronicle on Thursday afternoon.
“She was willing to take on that responsibility for a few months until our newly-hired superintendent takes over in July. We are really confident that she will help us maintain what we need to and keep moving forward.”
Grant, who is currently the superintendent of the Mossyrock School District, was offered the Centralia School District superintendent position in late January of 2020 and will start July 1.
“Dr. Grant will be working closely with district staff in the meantime to plan a smooth transition,” said Fast in a press release.
