Madison School District appoints new superintendent
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REXBURG – A new superintendent has been appointed for Madison School District 321.
At a recent school board meeting, the school board unanimously selected Assistant Superintendent Randy Lords to fill the position.
“We were really happy that Randy was interested in this position and grateful he has stayed with us and not taken the many offers he has received through the years,” Board Chairman Kevin Howell says in a news release. “He is an integral part of our district and has been a big contributor to where Madison is today.”
Lords’s appointment comes after Geoff Thomas, the current superintendent, announced he would be stepping down after serving in the position for 20 years.
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Howell explains the discussions board members had as they heard about Thomas’s retirement.
“Randy was the first person we all thought of. We see him as the best fit for this district,” Howell says. “We feel lucky to have the best candidate in-house, which will make for a smooth transition as well as minimize the steep learning curve that would have been inevitable for an external hire.”
Lords worked alongside Thomas for five years as his assistant. He has worked in various positions within the Madison School District for the last 19 years and started working in education 25 years ago.
Lords has lived in the Rexburg community for 17 years with his wife of 30 years, Kristi Lords. They’ve raised five children together (three Madison graduates, two currently enrolled) and are enjoying the role of grandparents to five, (almost six) grandbabies.
“I am excited and honored at this opportunity to lead the most amazing faculty and staff in the State of Idaho. I look forward to assisting them as we continue to provide a world of opportunities for our incredible student body,” Lords says. “Madison School District has a long-standing tradition of excellence and I want to continue that by keeping our focus on student success, parent involvement, supporting staff, faculty and our connection to this great community.”
Lords will transition into this new position on August 1 as Madison gears up for the 2021-2022 school year.