Bret Champions resigned as superintendent at Leander ISD to assume the role as superintendent for Klein ISD. He and his wife, Marcee, also an educator, have two college-aged children.[/caption]After a six-month nationwide search, Leander ISD Superintendent Bret Champion has been unanimously selected by the Klein ISD board of trustees as the lone finalist to succeed Superintendent Jim Cain.
The board announced the news at an April 28 board of trustees meeting.
“It’s commonly accepted among trustees across the state that the most important decision a board will ever make is the finding and hiring of a new superintendent,” board President Steven Smith said. “That decision will have tremendous impact, as we know by the great leadership provided by Dr. Cain for the last 12 years.”
In November, the board hired Thompson & Horton LLP to assist in procuring the new superintendent.
In March, trustees reviewed 50 applicants and narrowed down the search to six candidates. After the initial interviews, two candidates remained, Smith said. After second interviews, Champion was selected.
“I believe we found the best of these applicants for Klein ISD,” trustee Rick Mann said.
For eight years, Champion has served as superintendent for Leander ISD, located outside of Austin, Texas. The district has more than 37,000 students and 4,500 employees. Champion served as the assistant superintendent, executive director, principal, assistant principal and teacher at the district prior to being superintendent. He has been employed by that district for more than 22 years.
Champion earned his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Houston, his Master of Education at Texas State University and his doctorate in education at The University of Texas. He and his wife, Marcee, also an educator, have two sons in college.
“I am very aware that this is a strong community with focused families with incredible educators,” Champion said. “I’ve watched what’s happened with the recent floods and the way the community has had an amazing outpouring of support for each other.”
Champion said that after getting to know Cain, he has big shoes to fill.
“You will not find someone who burns with more of a passion to ensure that every student gets a quality education in the state of Texas than me,” he said.
He said he believes educators need to listen in order to lead.
“We want this district to be a place where every pathway is available to every student and where truly every student is future-ready,” he said.
The KISD board is scheduled to take the final vote on May 23. Cain’s last day as superintendent is June 30.
Cain’s wife, Susan, said she is looking forward to spending time with the grandchildren together and taking a planned river cruise in France when he retires.
“We’re trying to decide where to go after that—Hawaii or Alaska,” she said.
