Cambridge superintendent plans to step down in June of 2019

Cambridge School District Superintendent Ed Schumacher plans to return to teaching or counseling when his contract is up at the end of the current school year in June of 2019.

 In addition to serving as superintendent of the school district, which has an enrollment of about 125 students, Schumacher is also the high school principal and a teacher in senior math and algebra 1. He has been the district’s superintendent since 2007.

 Schumacher said he notified the school board a year ago he would be stepping down from his leadership position and would not be seeking an extension of his contract. He followed that up with a formal letter of resignation delivered to the board in September.

 In his letter, Schumacher said working for the Cambridge School District for the past 11 years has been the most enjoyable part of his four decades in education. 

 In large part, he said, that’s because of the trust the school board placed in his leadership of the district. As a result of his efforts as superintendent he believes the district is in a great position to serve students for years into the future. 

 Schumacher said there are physical challenges that inhibit his ability to perform at the level he expects from himself to continue in the superintendent’s position. 

 Given the time and energy commitments required to lead the district, be the principal of the high school and also teach in the classroom, Schumacher said he is not able to meet the high expectations that he sets for himself in the position. 

 “Having said this, it is time for me to show my appreciation to the Cambridge School District by resigning from all of my responsibilities in the district and support you in finding a suitable replacement in whatever manner you deem appropriate,” he said in his letter to the board. 

 He said he still enjoys working with students and in the school atmosphere. He also has opportunities to provide support for his family in other positions that better match his current skill and energy levels.

 Schumacher said he is not ready to retire and plans to stay in the Treasure Valley and continue working in education in a capacity other than administration. He also plans to spend more time with his grandchildren. 

 “For many years, I talked about returning to the classroom when I finished as an administrator.  I believe that I have some skills that work well with students and would like to focus my energy in that direction,” he said.

 Schumacher started out his 40-plus years in education as a math teacher in 1977 and worked for various school districts in Oregon, including Unity, La Grande, Hermiston and Burns. For the past 30 years, he has worked for school districts in Idaho and Oregon as an administrator. Immediately prior to coming to Cambridge he worked for St. Peter’s Catholic School for two years from 2005 to 2007.

 “I have worked in an administrative position since 1987 and have had great opportunities to work with many outstanding people.  I have learned a great deal over these many years and have a desire to share what I have learned in a practical setting, such as being a teacher or counselor,” he said.

 The Cambridge School Board signed an agreement with the Idaho School Boards Association to assist in the search for a new superintendent. The ISBA will act as a consultant to the district in the search process. The goal is to have someone selected by February or March of 2019.

 At a special meeting of the Cambridge School Board in September the decision was made to hire the ISBA for $8,500 to do the marketing and a full search for a new superintenent. The cost is reimbursable through school board training funding from the state, board officials said.