South Umpqua School District Announces Superintendent Resignation
On Nov. 2 South Umpqua School District’s board voted to approve Superintendent Kate McLaughlin’s resignation as superintendent. McLaughlin remains dedicated to the district and will fulfill her superintendent responsibilities through the end of the school year before she steps into her new role as district’s next director of student achievement. She will replace Andy Johnson following his retirement.
“I remain devoted to our collective work and vision,” said McLaughlin. “The district has a devoted school board and team of education professionals, all committed to our students. We make up a terrific team. In my future role as the director of student achievement, I will prioritize the services that support the social, behavioral and learning needs of our students.”
McLaughlin said the timing of her resignation announcement was intended to give the board time to attract qualified candidates. The school board is committed to actively beginning the search process to hire her successor. “The South Umpqua School District is a great place to be,” said Jeff Johnson, South Umpqua School District’s board chair. “We’re grateful that Ms. McLaughlin will continue to offer her wisdom and expertise to our staff and students as she concludes her current duties this school year and then begins her new position here at our district.”
Approximately 1,500 students from grades K-12 attend one of the district’s five campuses from Myrtle Creek, Tri City to Canyonville. Mclaughlin became the superintendent in 2019. Since that time the district has witnessed an improvement in graduation rates and enrollment, and provided students with access to in-person learning through two years of a pandemic. The district also hired additional quality personnel, bargained competitive labor agreements and engaged the community to determine areas of needed improvement.
“From the beginning, I told board members that this position and district were not a career steppingstone to get to a bigger, better district. I was looking for a community I could truly call home and serve to the best of my ability. The South Umpqua community has become that home and there is no place else I would rather be,” said McLaughlin. “Although I will no longer be in the superintendent’s seat, I remain dedicated to our district and students. I look forward to remaining here and serving in new ways. I also look forward to working with and supporting the next superintendent.”