By Michael Weber, Chico Enterprise-Record, Calif. The Tribune Content Agency

CHICO - The Chico Unified School District board of trustees selected Greg Blake as the next superintendent of district during its regular meeting Wednesday.

Blake, who currently serves as superintendent for Thermalito Union Elementary School District, will transition to his new role in Chico on July 1, 2025, taking the place of Kelly Staley, the outgoing superintendent of Chico Unified School District.

In an interview Thursday with the Enterprise-Record, Blake said his core value, what he wants parents to know, is that he cares about students and wants them to succeed.

Blake

"I want kids to become the best version of themselves and be good human beings," Blake said.

Blake holds 33 years of education experience, and before his current role in Thermalito, he worked as a high school teacher, a principal of an intermediate school and the superintendent principal of Gold Feather Union Elementary School District.

During his first days on the job, he said he plans to hold a listening tour, building relationships with stakeholders, kids, community members and parents. And as he continues, he said he will work to implement academic, behavioral and social emotional learning goals with the CUSD board.

Blake said he sees an opportunity to get back to his roots in a high school environment, and that Chico, because of its size, has great things going for families and kids, "something as simple as there are more electives in the school" and other factors.

He said he looks forward to being a part the district, including new facility projects moving forward as voters passed Measure C this election, and by helping oversee literacy, Career and Technical Education and other programs.

"There's a lot of good things happening in Chico that drive me to the district," Blake said.

The CUSD board of trustees Wednesday approved Blake's contract for a 3-year term with a base salary of $270,000.

"We know that Greg knows the community and is ready to lead Chico unified into these next exciting phases," said Board President Caitlyn Dalby on Wednesday. "And, also work with an incredible team of folks on our senior cabinet, and the rest of our district staff, and our kiddos and families."

"This is really, really cool," Blake said to Board Trustees. "I'm really excited, and I realize also that I have very big shoes to fill with Kelly (Staley)."

Related Articles

* \u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Educators hold commanding leads in CUSD governing board races\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009

* \u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Park Fire looter sentenced; CUSD to hold special meeting; wet weather to continue through weekend | Midday Report\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009

* \u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Gayle Olsen, Michele Cooper for CUSD governing board | Editorial\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009

* \u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Chico council, school board candidates make their case to voters\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009

* \u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Gayle Olsen focuses on 'best interest of the students' | Chico Unified School Board, Trustee Area 2\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009