Four Renton schools will have new leadership this year

Published 4:00 pm Thursday, August 13, 2026

Students and parents in the Renton School District will see four fresh faces in the principal’s office this fall.

• Deserae Kuring will become the new principal of Renton Academy and the Homeschool Opportunities for Emerging Education (H.O.M.E.) program.

Kuring said that she is “honored to join a school community with such a meaningful mission.”

Renton Academy uses Project Re-ED, an educational framework geared toward working with children with mental health and behavioral issues. Kuring said the Re-ED philosophy at Renton Academy “challenges us to focus on strengths, foster hope, and create opportunities for students to experience success.”

• Jacob Clotfelter will take the helm as the new principal of Maplewood Heights Elementary.

Clotfelter said that he is honored to serve what he calls “a vibrant community of diverse learners” and is dedicated to “providing rich, engaging opportunities for each student.”

• Rebecca L’Amouras will serve as the new assistant principal of Renton High School.

An alum of Renton High School herself, L’Amour went on to get her master of arts from New York University Tisch School of the Arts, a graduate certificate in learning design and technology from Harvard Extension School, and a doctor of education from the City University of Seattle.

L’Amour, who started out coaching kindergarten math in Renton, said she is looking forward to seeing some of her prior students this fall.

• Katharine Garvey-Cusack will serve as the new assistant principal of Risdon Middle School.

Garvey-Cusack has worked as a math coach at Renton Academy since 2019. Before that, she worked as an educator in Chicago, receiving her master of arts in teaching in urban education and leadership from the University of Chicago.

The four new administrators will start their new roles by the time school begins in Renton on Aug. 26.