Effective date is June 30; he says ‘loud contingency has continued to shift our focus to adult-centered issues’

Medford School District Superintendent Bret Champion has announced he will resign effective June 30.

The school district sent an email at 4:43 p.m. Thursday that included a statement from Champion.

It read:

“I have been deeply honored and privileged to lead this district for the past six years. Marcee and I have loved making Southern Oregon our home.

It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to resign, effective June 30th. This was not an easy choice, but over the past year, it has become increasingly clear that while our community expresses a desire to prioritize students, too often, a small, loud contingency has continued to shift our focus to adult-centered issues. Something needs to change, and I’m willing to be that change…I have decided that the best way to refocus on students is to step aside. 

You — this community — has the power to impact the future of our school district… I challenge you to GET ENGAGED in civil and constructive conversations on how to support our most precious resource — our students. 

Our mighty Medford educators in our schools have continued to do great work for and with our remarkable students, even as this drama has continued….

I am incredibly proud of what this district has accomplished. We got through COVID together. I will never forget being the first district to reopen after restrictions and the incredible desire and support for getting students back into classrooms. We opened Oakdale Middle School and Innovation Academy, and implemented the first-that-we-know-of-in-Oregon ELA curriculum.  We’ve expanded opportunities for students in fine arts and STEAM and in health careers.  We’ve made great strides in improving our Valley’s preschool desert, and have gotten real systems in place to know every student by name, strength, and need and do something about it!  We have the best crew of principals I’ve ever seen, and we have prioritized and implemented school safety and security in a way that has drawn positive national attention.  

These achievements are a testament to the dedication, passion, and resilience of our educators, staff, board, and community members who truly put students first.  I have been blessed to walk alongside and marvel at the work of so many student-centered folks.  

And some of my greatest inspiration has come from our students themselves.  Whether the fifth graders at Roosevelt, the eighth graders at Ruch, or any of the rock stars who made real contributions on our Student-Superintendent Advisory Team, I’m honored to have gotten to do this work for and with you. Our greatest hope always lies with you. 

Stay strong and be well. 

Bret Champion”

The announcement by Champion, hired by the district in 2019, comes on the heels of a year’s worth of turmoil in the district marked by dozens of grievances filed by the Medford Education Association teacher’s union, back-and-forth complaints filed between district officials and school board members and, most recently, the collapse of the North Medford High School gymnasium roof from heavy snowfall after a more than $3 million seismic retrofit this summer.

A video of Champion’s statement, in its entirety, is posted to the district Facebook page.

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