Superintendent Dr. Gene Schmidt
Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Gene Schmidt accepted the letter of intent offered to him Thursday evening for the position of superintendent of Farmington Municipal School District.
“I’m so pleased about this opportunity and look forward to serving the Farmington community with the same spirit and dedication as I’ve served the Los Alamos Community,” Schmidt told the Los Alamos Daily Post. “As we move forward in our life’s journey, I want to thank the Los Alamos community for giving me the opportunity of serving in such a wonderful school district.”
Schmidt will replace former Superintendent Dr. Janel Ryan who retired in December.
“It will be a genuine pleasure to step into Dr. Ryan’s shoes … we’ve been friends for years so it will be wonderful to build on her legacy,” he said.
Farmington Municipal School District has three high schools, four middle schools, 10 elementary schools, a special pre-school and just over 11,000 students. Schmidt said he hopes to find ways to combine the Farmington and Los Alamos districts in some tupe of partnership colaborations.
“The two districts do compete athletically and in other ways so that will be fun,” he said. “I want to invite everyone who visits Farmington from Los Alamos to call me so we can get together and I can buy them a cup of coffee.”
Schmidt was selected from five finalists narrowed down from a field of 15 candidates.
Los Alamos Board of Education President Jim Hall spoke about Schmidt becoming the new superintendent of Farmington Municipal School District.
“I am pleased that Dr. Schmidt has been selected as superintendent in Farmington,” Hall said. “His leadership and skills will benefit their students, staff and the community. My personal best wishes go to Gene and Wendy (wife).”
The Farmington School Board has asked Schmidt to start work May 5. He said he will speak with the Los Alamos School Board about releasing him from his contract a few weeks early. His replacement, Dr. Kurt Steinhaus, is scheduled to begin at LAPS May 4.
“It’s a nice moment for the two of us,” Schmidt said. “Dr. Steinhaus is going to be a wonderful superintendent for Los Alamos. I told him that I’m going to give him my Hilltopper license plate when I leave.”
