The Chehalis School District on Monday released a video introducing Dannie Clark as the new principal of Orin C. Smith Elementary School.
Clark takes over from Kala Wofford after serving as the principal of McLane Elementary School in Olympia since 2022. Her hiring was first announced to district families and staff in May.
Clark began her employment with the district on July 1.
Wofford is now the district’s executive director for student achievement, filling the position left vacant after Rick Goble became district superintendent in June 2024.
Carrina Stanton, the district’s public information officer, said Assistant Superintendent Trisha Smith’s upcoming retirement in September led the district to realign its administrative staff and bring back the executive director position after a two-year hiatus.
Smith has spent more than 30 years with the district.
Clark is not the only principal joining the district for the 2026-2027 school year. Craig Curry, former principal of Ridgeline Middle School in Yelm, began his new role as principal of W.F. West High School on July 1.
Curry had served as Ridgeline’s principal since 2017. He takes over from Regina Carr, who resigned for personal reasons, according to Stanton.
In her introductory video, Clark said, “I cannot wait to kick off this school year with you all.”
Clark said she began her career in 2013 as a student teacher. After teaching grades kindergarten through 3, Clark moved to the administrative side.
Before becoming the principal of McLane Elementary, Clark served in the Olympia School District as an assistant principal at Hansen Elementary School and Centennial Elementary School, according to the Chehalis School District’s website.
“I love being in schools,” Clark said in the video. “I love working, obviously, as a teacher. The heart of the work is really, for me, seeing those light bulb moments with students and watching students grow, whether it be the academics, socially, emotionally. Just seeing the growth and have kids take ownership of that is really powerful.”
She added that she loves supporting and working with adults just as much as she does with children.
Clark, who spent time growing up in the Centralia-Chehalis area, said she is both excited and humbled to be at Orin Smith Elementary.
“It feels really full circle to be back in my community and be here,” Clark said.
Orin Smith Elementary will hold an orientation night on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
