FPS Selects New Superintendent

By Gordon HopkinsRoger A. Stumpf was voted unanimously by the Fairbury Public Schools Board of Education (BOE)to be the district’s new superintendent at a special meeting Thursday evening, January 15, 2026. He will be replacing Dr. Devin Embray, who announced his resignation in 2025 for the end of the 2025-2026 school year.Following the conclusion of the interview process, the board met in open session at 9:45 p.m. to discuss the strengths and areas of consideration identified through interviews and committee feedback before making the final decision.Stumpf is currently Superintendent of USD306 Southeast of Saline in Gypsum, Kansas. He originally joined that district’s staff as Junior/Senior High School principal for the 2015-16 school year.He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University in 1992 and a Master of Science from the same school in 1999.Stumpf has been married since 2001 to Kim, a human resource professional at Salina Regional Hospital. They have three children.Stumpf will begin his role as superintendent July 1, 2026.The selection of Stumpf has caused some controversy. After the vote, there was an uproar on social media. As is so often the case with social media, it is difficult to determine just how representative those opinions expressed compare to the community as a whole. Three other candidates were under consideration: Brian J. Hof, Shane M. Alexander and Jeremy G. Christiansen. Dr. Embray does not think the objections that some people have expressed are directed at Stumpf. Instead, he told FJN, “I do not believe anyone has an issue with Roger Stumpf. What I am hearing is they (BOE) didn’t choose the candidate Jeremy Christiansen. I believe they both interviewed quite well and the BOE selected Roger.”Christiansen was previously principal for FPS, of both Central Elementary and Jefferson Intermediate from 2001 to 2018. Following the selection of Stumpf, BOE Chair Angie Judd sent an email to school staff and community members, which read in part, “Over the past two years, Fairbury Public Schools has made meaningful progress in strengthening instructional systems, improving staff morale, and building greater stability across the district. The Board’s priority was to select a superintendent who can sustain this momentum while continuing to move the district forward.”“The selected candidate, Mr. Roger Stumpf, demonstrated a leadership profile that aligns closely with the district’s current and future needs, including a strong instructional vision, meaningful use of data to support decision-making, high expectations for all students and staff, and a leadership approach centered on developing people and systems. The Board was also encouraged by Mr. Stumpf’s emphasis on collaboration, visibility, and fostering a unified culture focused on what is best for students,” wrote Judd. “After much consideration and in light of the collective input received, the Board is confident that Roger is the best fit to lead Fairbury Public Schools forward and to continue the progress we have made together.”As a result of the uproar, another board member, Jacie Milius, posted on Facebook, “In the days leading up to the vote, I listened carefully to feedback from many individuals. I received both positive and critical perspectives, and I considered them thoughtfully. Ultimately, my decision came down to my own professional judgment formed through the interview process itself. One candidate stood out to me based on the vision shared for our district, his collaborative leadership approach, his attention to detail, his experiences surrounding school finance and budgeting, his commitment to fact-based decision-making, and his overall demeanor. I left that interview feeling energized and confident in the individual’s ability to build upon the progress our schools have made and to lead us forward.” “In recent days, I have been deeply disappointed by the tone and nature of some public discourse surrounding this decision. While I understand the strong emotions involved and respect that people care deeply about our schools, I believe productive dialogue requires mutual respect. I would welcome thoughtful conversations and questions about my decision. However, personal attacks and speculation, particularly when shared publicly rather than addressed directly, are discouraging and harmful to our community,” wrote Milius. “I also recognize that some individuals who participated in the hiring process feel disappointed or unheard. Each board member carefully reviewed all materials and feedback provided, highlighting hiring committee comments during the open meeting. I also considered concerns raised by individuals who participated in the hiring committees about how their perspectives were not represented within the formal reports submitted to the board. Balancing these factors was part of the responsibility entrusted to me as an elected board member.”

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