BEND, OR -- Bend-La Pine Schools named Chris Boyd as Principal for the new high school, to be built near the corner of Knott road and 15th in southeast Bend. This isn't the first time he's develop a school from the ground up. He's currently Principal of Pacific Crest Middle School, which he helped open in 2015. Boyd tells KBND News, "The big part of opening a new school is being really intentional about developing culture and identity, getting students involved to be a part of the process of gaining independence and being ready to go out in the world."

Boyd was selected from among four finalists who met with the community during a public interview process, last week. He says success starts with making the right connections, "'How do we bring a diverse set of people, of students, of organizations together?' So, in the end, the outcome is that we're opening a school that our community has rallied behind and come together to say, 'hey, this is what our next new high school is going to look like in bend, Oregon.'" Boyd believes school should be about setting a student up for success in later life, "Things that I really care about in education are developing strong relationships with kids and helping to think about ways in which we can meet students both academically and emotionally. This is about students eventually gaining their independence and being ready to go out into the world." He tells KBND News, "I've been in education for more than 20 years, and ultimately, the greatest prize of education is seeing students graduate."

Bend-La Pine Schools officials are finalizing the design of the school, scheduled to open in the fall of 2021. Over the next two years, Boyd will work with students, families, staff and the community to make decisions regarding its name, motto, colors, mascot, and even furniture.