Thompson named YUHSD interim superintendent
Gina Thompson has been named interim superintendent of the Yuma Union High School District.
The district’s governing board made the decision on a unanimous vote during a special meeting Wednesday evening. Board member Teri Brooks attended by conference call.
“I’d be honored,” said Thompson, who is one of two associate superintendents, when asked by board President Phil Townsend if she would accept the position.
The supplemental contract for Thompson would be just for Oct. 2 to Dec. 31, said YUHSD spokesman Eric Patten.
Thompson’s appointment comes in the waning weeks of Superintendent Toni Badone’s leadership. Badone is retiring after 33 years in the district to take over the state director’s chair for AdvancED.
In addition to her associate superintendent’s role, Thompson would be expected to fill Badone’s day-to-day activities. She would be paid “$15,000 per year, pro-rated at a daily amount for each day worked,” according to the motion made by board member Bruce Gwynn. Discounting holidays, there are about 60 business days between Oct. 2 and Dec. 31, meaning Thompson will get about $250 a day in addition to her regular salary. Board member Shelley Mellon seconded the motion.
“My main goal is to keep the great work that Toni has already allowed us to do, to keep that moving forward and to just really look at next steps to open our student achievement goals for the district,” Thompson said after the meeting.
“I’m thrilled. I’m so honored. I mean, I’m humbled, honored, excited, challenged,” she said. “We’re just surrounded by so many great people, that ... just ... really it’s just keeping the work moving forward.”
Thompson started working at the high school district as an English teacher at Cibola in 1989. It was her first teaching job.
“Toni is such a courageous leader and one of great vision,” Thompson recalled. “She actually hired me. She and … Jon Walk were the two who hired me, so I’ve been super blessed with their great leadership since day one.”
Thompson then moved up to Yuma High as its assistant principal in 1995. In 2005, she took on a duo principalship at Kofa High, and moved to the district office in 2012.
Thompson said the governing board has already started working on finding a replacement for Badone, whose last day will be Oct. 1.
Thompson said she considers herself “fully Yuman,” since she came to visit relatives.
“I came to visit my parents, and I’ve never left, I’ve never been back home,” she recalled. “This is my home.”