The Klein ISD board of trustees unanimously named Deputy Superintendent Jenny McGown as the lone finalist for the district's next superintendent, during a special meeting June 6. Upon formal appointment, McGown will become the first female superintendent in KISD history.

The announcement comes just over two weeks since Superintendent Bret Champion announced his resignation. However, McGown's appointment will not become official until the board is able to formally appoint her in three weeks.

"Klein is very blessed to have remarkable servant leaders at the board level and I'm grateful and very humbled by this opportunity and your confidence in me," McGown said. "Today and every day, I am humbled to walk the path laid by courageous student-focused leaders like the late Dr. Don Collins, beloved retired superintendent Dr. Jim Cain and the innovative Dr. Bret Champion. These men have served this district well and I will always strive to honor their legacy."

Prior to holding her current position as deputy superintendent, McGown started in KISD as an English teacher at Klein Collins High School. She has also served as an administrator at both the elementary and secondary level, was the founding principal of Zwink Elementary, served as the district's chief learning officer and executive director of student performance.

"I believe our work in public education is paramount to the success of our great nation," McGown said. "And despite being part of a profession that in some parts is not yet always lifted up and esteemed, I believe that it is a marvelous privilege to be a public school educator. To have the opportunity every single day to enter into young people's stories, to celebrate progress, to thoughtfully disrupt the status quo, to boldly eradicate the barriers of bias and opposed narratives and to create the conditions for education to truly be a catalyst for excellence and equity"

The entire board of trustees as well as Champion shared their support for McGown as the district's next superintendent during the meeting.

"We have all bore witness to what real actions Jenny's energy and passion for the success of every learner has had for our students," Champion said. "Every good thing that has come out of here in the last three years, Jenny has played a central role. And I can tell you that I am so, so happy that come July 1, this great school district is in even better hands than today."

Now that a finalist has been named, the board is required to wait at least 21 days before voting to finalize McGown's appointment. At that time, the board will call another special meeting.

"Klein is my home, it's my family's home and the bright spots and challenges ahead for us are no mystery to me," McGown said. "I am confident that Klein ISD is poised to achieve even more remarkable results for our students as we continue working together to celebrate every victory, overcome every obstacle, and to ensure equitable outcomes and an audacious purpose for every student."