Aberdeen High School Principal David Glasier will be stepping down at the end of the school year because he is moving out of the area. Aaron Roiko, currently assistant principal at Aberdeen High School, has agreed to serve as interim principal next year.

The duo shared the news with AHS staff in a meeting Wednesday afternoon and Superintendent Alicia Henderson announced it to the district staff via e-mail.

Glasier came to the district as a math teacher and went on to serve as Aberdeen High assistant principal and then the district’s Human Resources director before taking on the role of principal this year. He is relocating to Virginia, where his family has roots.

“Aberdeen has been a fantastic growth opportunity for me professionally,” he said. “All the wonderful colleagues and work we have done together over these last seven years has been amazing. Although I will be in Virginia, a piece of me will always remain in Aberdeen.”

Superintendent Alicia Henderson said that while unexpected, “I fully support David’s decision to pursue this dream.”

She commended Glasier and Roiko for managing the high school during the pandemic, while also preparing for a future full of changes, such as the return to a semester system this fall.

“David and his team at AHS have really coalesced some important initiatives to improve options for student learning and strengthen the esprit de corps,” Superintendent Henderson said. “As we emerge from the pandemic, stability is something that should not be compromised. With Aaron at the helm, I am confident AHS will stay the course and maintain the exceptional momentum that is under way. I appreciate that he has agreed to step up and assume this position to serve our district and ensure stability at AHS.”

Roiko is a longtime resident of Grays Harbor, having taught in the Cosmopolis School District for more than 12 years and serving as a coach in Aberdeen for nine years before accepting the position as Aberdeen’s first full-time athletic director in 2016. Last year, he was named assistant principal at AHS. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communication/public relations from Northern Michigan University, a bachelor’s degree in elementary education (K-8) from Washington State University, and a master’s degree in education administration and leadership with principal certification from Grand Canyon University.

“I care about our school, our staff, students and families and will do my best to serve all of these people with an understanding that every student has a place to be successful,” he said.