Interim Superintendent
Brett Blechschmidt
Brett Blechschmidt has been named Interim Superintendent for the 2025-26 school Year. Brett previously served as VPS’s Associate Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer. He has served our district for 11 years in his previous roles, following 19 years with the Educational Service District 112.
With a strong commitment to student-centered decision-making, staff collaboration, reliable systems, dependability and continuity, he is well-prepared to provide steady leadership to our staff, students and families during this transition. The primary focus this year will be to maintain the district’s stability, continue progress on our strategic plan, and support the staff and students who carry out this important work each day.
Intermin Associate Superintendent
Janell Ephraim
Janell Ephraim has been named Interim Associate Superintendent for the 2025-26 school year. She has served our Vancouver community as an educator for over 25 years, and most recently served as VPS Executive Director of Teaching and Learning. She has previously been a teacher, elementary school principal, and then a central office administrator eventually supervising Elementary Principals, the Early Learning Department, the Community Schools Department, the Equity Department Director, the Language Access Department, and the Education Ombuds. She has also been an instructor for preservice teachers at Portland State University and Clackamas Community College.
Janell is committed to creating cultures of collaboration and high expectations with the purpose of eliminating opportunity and achievement gaps for students in her community. She believes that genuine partnerships between schools, families, and the community are key to motivating, inspiring, and empowering young people.