New superintendent Campbell advocates for local control, student outcomes

Keith Campbell has officially taken over the superintendent’s role at Big Horn County School District No. 4, bringing with him 38 years of experience in education and family ties to the area.

“I have grand hopes for Basin. I want us to be the best school in the state; I want us to be an innovator in education when we can; I want us to set an example for others to follow,” Campbell said in an interview on Monday, July 7.

After graduating from Montana State University in Bozeman, Campbell taught grades 7–12 social studies, coached football, basketball and track, and served as an athletic director before pursuing an assistant superintendent/principal position in Hardin, Mont. During this time, he served as president of the Montana Principals’ Association and even mentored outgoing District No. 4 Superintendent Jory Thompson when the pair worked together in Montana.

“I think you always have this idea that hopefully, through leadership, you can make a bigger difference,” Campbell said.

He spent 12 years in the assistant superintendent/principal position before moving on to become superintendent in Miles City, Mont., a district of about 2,000 students. After 33 years in Montana, Campbell retired from the state and began serving as superintendent of Mohall Lansford Sherwood Public School in Mohall, N.D., where he worked for the past five years. In 2024, the school received a National Blue Ribbon School designation, largely for its efforts in creating vocational pathways for students.

As Campbell begins to understand the educational dynamics in Basin, he said, “Let’s not just be satisfied with where we are now; let’s look forward at how we can do more and how we can do better — for our kids and for ourselves too.”

He explained that student needs are evolving, with a rise in technology and a growing push for career and technical education.

“I’m optimistic, but I also want people to know our Wyoming public schools are doing a great job educating students and sometimes I don’t think we get the credit we deserve. Our teachers don’t get that credit,” Campbell said.

With national backlash against schools perceived to be limiting parental rights, Campbell was adamant that Wyoming has continued to support those rights. He expressed concern, however, that legislators have made moves to reduce local control due to national pressures, sometimes to the detriment of individual districts.

“Local control was what was really guaranteed to schools in Wyoming; that school boards make decisions and are able to adjust curriculum, teaching, and what kids need based on local needs. I think we’re losing a bit of that. At the state and even national level, they’re starting to dictate things for all students that don’t necessarily meet our local needs,” Campbell said. “So I really want to help protect what District No. 4 kids need — and sometimes that’s not the same across the whole state, and it’s definitely not the same across the nation.”

One new state policy that coincided with Campbell’s arrival is the legalization of concealed carry on school campuses. Big Horn County school administrators and law enforcement have scheduled a meeting to discuss how to handle the change. Campbell explained that recommendations will be brought to the school board regarding potential training or certification requirements for staff members wishing to carry.

“Just because we try something doesn’t mean we’re going to get it right the first time. So I’m of the belief that we should just keep working on it until it really fits our needs here,” he said.

Campbell also expressed concern over potential funding shortfalls for public schools, citing property tax changes and state allocations to home and private schooling.

“I’m a believer in public schools, so I don’t want money that could potentially hurt public schools to leave and go somewhere else,” he said.

“Public education is alive and well in the state of Wyoming, and I want people to realize that.”

Campbell and his wife, Bridgette (Branstetter) Campbell, saw an opportunity to be closer to their family and enjoy a small, tight-knit community by moving to Basin. Bridgette Campbell has family ties to the Basin and Lovell areas, and the couple has children and grandchildren in Billings, Mont. The Campbells are the great-aunt and great-uncle of School District Business Manager Trevor Whittaker and his wife, Andrea Whittaker, who informed them of the superintendent job opening.

In Basin schools, Keith Campbell saw high test scores and a strong investment in student outcomes—something he hopes to continue nurturing.

“I think there are great people here… great kids and great staff members. I’ve heard nothing but great things from Jory (Thompson). So I’m really just excited about the opportunity to help lead this district forward,” Campbell said.