Arlington, Texas — May 19, 2025 – Arlington Independent School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Bret Champion as its new Chief Schools Officer. A proud Texas native, Dr. Champion brings more than 34 years of experience in public education, including 23 years in district leadership roles.
Dr. Champion most recently served as superintendent of schools in Medford, Oregon, where he led the development and implementation of a community-driven strategic plan. His leadership resulted in the alignment of districtwide language arts curriculum and significant improvements in math instruction. A passionate advocate for early childhood education, Dr. Champion also partnered with the community to expand access to preschool programs and increase enrollment.
“I’m excited to join the high-quality team in Arlington and I look forward to serving students, educators and especially principals, as we work toward outstanding leadership and exceptional student experiences in every classroom and every school,” Dr. Champion said. “There are terrific educators throughout Arlington ISD and I wanted to join a district where great things are happening for students.”
Prior to his role in Medford, Dr. Champion served as superintendent in Klein ISD, a 50,000-student district near Houston. Under his leadership, Klein ISD earned a five-star rating – the highest possible – from Texas Smart Schools, recognizing the district for its combination of low spending and high academic achievement. Only 22 districts in Texas received this distinction.
Dr. Champion began his career as a teacher, assistant principal and principal, and was a proud member of the second corps of Teach for America, teaching in Houston and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He later served as superintendent in Leander ISD before moving into his most recent leadership roles.
Dr. Champion earned his doctorate in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin.
“Moving back to Texas is exciting for Marcee and me. We look forward to living and learning in Arlington,” he shared.
“Bret brings an incredible amount of energy, innovation and heart to Arlington ISD. He’s a passionate advocate for students and a proven systems thinker who knows how to turn vision into results,” said Dr. Matt Smith, Superintendent of Arlington ISD. “His student-first mindset and ability to build trust make him exactly the kind of leader we need to accelerate our progress.”
Arlington ISD looks forward to the leadership and vision Dr. Champion will bring as Chief Schools Officer, continuing its commitment to excellence for all students.