Medford, Ore. — The Medford School Board welcomed its newly elected members during Tuesday night’s meeting, offering a preview of the district’s future leadership. Although they won’t officially take office until July, Angela Zbikowski and Erik Johnsen attended the session and emphasized a shared vision focused on collaboration, students, and rebuilding community trust.
“This is really a chance for us to turn over a new leaf, refocus on our students, and accomplish some great things,” said Zbikowski, speaking during the meeting. Johnsen echoed her sentiment, stressing the importance of unity among board members. “If we can’t work as a team, we’re not going to accomplish very much,” he said.
Both Zbikowski and Johnsen were elected in this week’s special election and will be sworn in during the board’s first meeting in July. The official date for their swearing-in has not yet been announced.
In the meantime, the board is preparing to fill a soon-to-be vacant seat. Position 5 will become available following the resignation of board member Michelle Atkinson, whose term was originally set to expire in June 2027.
Board member Michael Williams proposed delaying the appointment process to give the incoming members a voice in selecting Atkinson’s replacement. However, the board chose to proceed with the timeline established at a previous meeting — a decision Williams had supported at the time.
A total of eight candidates have applied for the vacant Position 5 seat. Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday, June 5.
The new board configuration and the upcoming appointment mark a period of transition for the Medford School District, with leadership changes aimed at restoring confidence and prioritizing student outcomes.