Campbell hired as BHCSD No. 4 superintendent

Keith Campbell is set to take over the superintendent reins of Big Horn County School District No. 4 from outgoing superintendent Jory Thompson.

“BGH4 will be in great hands with Keith. He is a proven, experienced and driven leader who believes in the importance of high-quality public education. He values small-town life, appreciates quality people and understands the significance of striving to improve in our endeavors. He is genuinely a likable person and a fantastic conversationalist. I am grateful that BGH4 will be progressing in a positive direction. I wish Mr. Campbell and BGH4 all the best and have truly enjoyed my time here!” said Thompson.

School board chair Heath Hopkin said the board is excited and looks forward to working with Campbell. “I was impressed that at the interview, he recognized that he made mistakes in the past, had learned a lot from them and moved forward. Not all people are willing to admit these. Especially during an interview process.”

Campbell said he applied for the position for several reasons, one of which is that the district and town are a similar size to the one he is coming from.

“The school is the center of the community. That is important to me. So many people support what goes on at the school. Whether it be classroom, extension of the classroom, activities, clubs, different school associations.

“That is one of the things I am looking forward to, getting to know people in the community, being a part of the community, not just the school.”

Another reason Campbell wanted to be superintendent is he felt the district had a good reputation and good kids. “I’m looking forward to building on what they are already doing really well. If we are not moving forward, we are standing still. My goal is for us to continually grow and to provide opportunities for our kids. In this day and age, it seems like there are so many questions about the job public education is doing. I want to make sure I’m letting people know how great of a school district we have and how good of kids we have. We need to celebrate some of those successes. To build on those successes. We need to continually grow and get better.”

Campbell said that the face of education has changed so much over his career. What students need to be successful today is different from what they needed five years ago. Those needs will be different five years from now. Schools need to continually evolve and grow to provide what is best for students. He looks forward to the challenge.

Being closer to family and friends is another reason he applied. He and his wife, Bridgette, have a son and grandkids in Billings. She hails from Laurel, Mont., and they have extended family in the Lovell and Basin area. Basin residents Barb and Gene Grose are friends; both previously worked with Campbell in Montana.

When asked about recent legislation that will impact public education, Campbell stated it has been a fight he has been fighting for 38 years. “It is tougher these days, but it is a fight that is worth fighting.”