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Chico Unified board names Gregory Blake superintendent, approves three-year, $270,000-a-year contract
Summary
The Chico Unified School District board unanimously approved a three-year contract naming Gregory Blake as superintendent with a $270,000 base salary; the contract begins July 1, 2025, after an extensive community-driven search process.
The Chico Unified School District board on Nov. 20 approved a three-year contract naming Gregory Blake as the district's next superintendent, setting a base salary of $270,000.
Board members said they selected Blake after a multi-stage search overseen with the County Office of Education that included staff and community input meetings, application screening panels with union and staff representatives, and two technical interview rounds before final interviews with the board. Board President Caitlyn Doby said the process produced a candidate who “knows the community and is ready to lead Chico Unified into these next exciting phases.”
The motion to approve the contract was made from the dais and seconded by a board colleague. The board conducted a roll-call vote and recorded four yeses and one absence; the motion passed unanimously among those present. The contract was presented publicly; copies were made available for review.
Gregory Blake addressed those in attendance after the vote, thanking the trustees and saying he looked forward to working with families, staff and students. “I am just very excited,” Blake said. “I am very committed to our North State — this is going to be fantastic.” He noted his 12 years as a superintendent in the county and said he has long ties to Chico.
The board noted the new contract begins July 1, 2025, meaning the current superintendent will remain in place through the end of the school year to assist with the transition. The district said Blake will work with cabinet and site staff during a planned handover and that further details about onboarding and transition steps will be provided in coming months.
Why it matters: The board framed the appointment as a continuity-and-growth decision tied to recent facilities measures and a facilities master plan they said will expand arts, music and other student programs. The vote gives the board a new district leader ahead of capital improvements and the next academic year.
