Madison School District superintendent stepping down after 37-year career
Published at | Updated at
REXBURG – After 37 years working in public education, Madison School District 321 Superintendent Dr. Geoff Thomas is retiring.
“It has been the professional honor of a lifetime to serve as Superintendent of Madison,” Thomas says.
While Thomas will be retiring from Madison, he is not fully entering the retired world yet. He has been offered and accepted a position as an assistant professor in the College of Education at Idaho State University working with graduate students seeking to become principals and superintendents.
“Teaching at Idaho State will be a wonderful opportunity for me to assist with the training and development of future K-12 educational leaders,” says Thomas.
During his tenure at Madison, Dr. Thomas oversaw the construction of Madison High School, South Fork Elementary and Burton Elementary. He also saw the remodeling of eight schools, Bobcat Stadium and Fieldhouse, the creation of Madison Academy, an alternative middle school, and Madison Online.
Thomas served as President of the Idaho Superintendents Association, President of the Idaho School Administrators Association, and President of the Rexburg Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to these leadership positions, Dr. Thomas received the 2011 “Friend of Education” award by the Idaho Education Association, the 2015 Idaho Superintendent of the Year, the 2016 ISU Distinguished Leader, and the 2019 Chamber of Commerce “Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Throughout his career, Thomas was a tireless advocate for local control, parental choice, public education and teachers.
He is a life-long learner, philosopher and avid book reader which encouraged and motivated many of his employees to also read more over the years. One could not enter his office without a bookshelf filled to the brim and at least five books on his desk which he was actively studying.
After serving for 20 years as superintendent, Thomas feels Madison School District is the finest district in the state.
“It’s a phrase he coined and truly believed, (and) it is one he has helped come to fruition with his dedication to continuing excellence,” District spokeswoman Jessica Goudy says in a news release.