Melissa Skinner is excited to start building relationships in Crook County Schools as she begins her tenure as superintendent.

Skinner said she’s always wanted to make a difference, showing students that background and circumstances didn’t mean you couldn’t be successful.

“I’ve always, just for as long as I can remember, wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “I think it probably goes back to my dad had a seventh grade education, my mom really only had a high school education, so I always knew that education would be important for me in the trajectory of my life and my career.”

The school district hired Skinner in April. Former Superintendent Sara Johnson resigned last summer after citing a difference in vision and direction for the district between herself and then-newly elected board members Jessica Brumble, Jennifer Knight and Cheyenne Edgerly. Duane Yecha, who previously worked for the district, filled in as interim superintendent for the 2023-24 school year.

Skinner, who has worked in education for 29 years in Texas and Louisiana, is especially interested in boosting literacy among the younger students. She’s already visited the Summer Blast literacy program at Barnes Butte Elementary, she said.

The 51-year-old has worked as a first grade teacher, a trained reading recovery teacher, an assistant principal, principal and in district administration. Skinner has spent most of her career working with curriculum and school improvement.

“Crook County just has an amazing tradition, and just some really great expectations for success, so that really drew me to the school district, wanting to be part of not only the tradition but the innovation as well,” Skinner said. “Everyone really has students first and foremost. I’ve just really enjoyed getting out to the campuses to meet people.”

Her first few days have gone well, she said. Skinner’s first day was also the day of a board meeting, and she enjoyed connecting with the community early on.

“I think that it’s very important for me to build trust and open lines of communication,” she said. “(I want to be) engaging on campuses so that we can really learn together and what we really want to be able to put into place for the school year.”

Skinner plans to listen and learn to develop a long-term plan to make sure Crook County students continue to succeed. In addition to her interest in literacy, she plans to focus on college and career readiness and the dual enrollment program.

“I think that this is a time to have a renewed and refreshed spirit and time in the school district, and I’m hoping we can all come together and meet on some common ground, so that our students are the true winners,” she said.

Skinner said she specifically wanted to move to Oregon and is looking forward to the outdoor activities that abound in the region.

“Texas is very very hot, and makes it very difficult to do those things outdoors. So (I’m looking forward to) getting outdoors to hike and to visit, just looking at the natural beauty that Oregon provides,” she said.

Skinner is anticipating the start of the school year and supporting families and campus leaders.

Focusing on academics

Scott Cooper, the school board’s vice chair, is looking forward to what Skinner will bring to the district.

“She’s got a certain attitude of ‘we’re not going to let the process stand in the way of the performance’ that really appealed to the board,” he said. “I think it’ll appeal to the community too. She’s about getting it done.”

The board is interested in focusing on academic performance and raising test scores across the district, said Cooper.

“I’m really looking forward to the academic side of working with Dr. Skinner,” said Cooper. “Plus she’s just a delightful person.”

A world class education

Skinner said she will listen and learn to make sure everyone’s working from the same common priorities when working with the school board.

“I think if we keep our students at the forefront of every decision that we make, and we prioritize the things that we say and do, and we leverage our resources and our actions, then our students really come out the winners,” she said.

Skinner wants families to know that students will receive a high-quality education while in Crook County Schools.

“I want our students to attend safe and well-maintained schools. I also just want us to be No. 1 for academics and extracurricular activities and for families to know that when they come to Crook County, that we are a destination district,” said Skinner. “Anything is possible with a world-class education.”

More about literacy in Crook County Schools

New curriculum and training boost Central Oregon school literacy programs