NEWBERG — Kym Le Blanc-Esparza, executive director of K-12 schools at a district in Colorado, will take the helm of the Newberg School District this summer. She will replace Paula Radich, who is retiring after 13 years as superintendent.

The Newberg board unanimously approved offering LeBlanc-Esparza a three-year contract.

"She has a depth of understanding about curriculum and instruction coupled with a history of making sure kids come first," said Melinda Van Bossuyt, school board chair. "She is a proven and successful leader of schools."

LeBlanc-Esparza said she has seen "great pride and respect for the schools and educators" in the Newberg-Dundee community.

"This district already has many great things in place for kids. I look forward to getting to know the people in the community and working directly with the educators in the schools," she said.

LeBlanc-Esparza has a bachelor's degree from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, a master's degree in administration and curriculum from the University of Texas, Odessa, and a doctorate in educational leadership and applied statistics from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley.

Her current position involves supervising K-12 principals in a district with 43,000 students. Before that, she was principal of a K-8 magnet school in Colorado and an assistant principal and curriculum specialist in Texas. She started her career as a teacher in Colorado.

News-Register Staff