Medford School District Board of Directors Names New Superintendent
May 21, 2019
The Medford School District (MSD) Board of Directors votedTuesday night (5/21) to begin contract negotiations for chosen superintendent candidate Dr. Bret Champion. The selection of Dr. Champion as MSD’s new superintendent is the culmination of a thorough and collaborative search process to find the ideal candidate to lead the MSD.
Current superintendent Dr. Brian Shumate will leave MSD at the end of June to take a superintendent job in Georgia, closer to his family. In Dr. Shumate’s five years leading the MSD, the district has increased success for all student groups in the areas of graduation rates, state assessments, and providing equitable opportunities for all students.
The process to find a new superintendent for Medford began in March and included staff and community engagement meetings, input surveys, and stakeholder interview panels.
“Dr. Champion is a great fit for Medford,” said MSD Board Chair Cynthia Wright. “His skills as a communicator and collaborator, his experience with innovation and pathways, his focus on every child succeeding, and his work with large financial budgets all uniquely qualify him as the candidate of choice.”
Dr. Champion has 28 years of experience in public education as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent. He has been a superintendent for over a decade, most recently serving in that role in the 54,000-student Klein ISD in Klein, Texas.
“I am a big believer in the opportunity that our public schools provide for our students. Public schools are our nation’s great equalizer. As we work toward bringing equity to our state and nation, public schools are leading the way in that work,” said Dr. Champion. “One of the things that’s intriguing about Medford is how many great things are already happening here in the areas of preparing students for their next steps. There is so much in place to ensure students leave with every option available to them and I am excited to get to know the people doing that work, the students who are part of that work, and the community embracing that work.”
In his first several months on the job, Dr. Champion plans to engage with staff, students, families, and community members by listening and learning about systems already in place.
“I’m interested in looking at the great things that are happening and looking at where we have some opportunities to grow and improve,” Dr. Champion said. “I look forward to collaborating with the entire community to ensure that all students find and embrace their pathways to success.”
The board will vote to approve Dr. Champion’s contract at its June 3 meeting. His first contract day is July 1.
