After 15 years with Stockton R-I Schools, Dr. Doug Crawford announced he will retire as superintendent at the end of the 2026-27 school year. His final day with the district will be June 30, 2027.
Crawford said he began seriously considering retirement last year after experiencing some health scares, along with previous health concerns for his wife.
“I was reminded that life isn't just about working. It's about making sure the people who matter most get the best version of you,” Crawford said.
The school board was informed in June that he was considering retirement, and he formally submitted his resignation at the August 2026 board meeting. He also shared the news with staff during the district’s back-to-school meeting.
Crawford first came to Stockton in August 2012 as elementary principal after previously serving as a K-12 physical education teacher, elementary teacher, alternative school teacher and high school principal in other districts.
He said he was informed of the elementary principal opening in the spring of 2012 and decided to make the drive to Stockton. He was sold on the area when he drove over the dam, and after touring the campus and meeting district staff, he knew it was the right fit.
He served as elementary principal for eight years before becoming superintendent in 2020.
“Over those 15 years, Stockton became more than a place where I worked. It became home.”
One of the highlights of his career has been handing diplomas to students he first knew as preschoolers or kindergartners, creating what he described as a “full circle” experience.
He treasures the relationships he has built with students and their families and said he especially enjoys the high-fives in the hallways and hearing students share memories from years past. He has also enjoyed watching teachers grow through continued education, new roles and a continued focus on building connections with students.
When asked what he will miss most, Crawford did not hesitate: the people.
“I know it sounds cliché, but it’s true … the people. Working alongside incredible faculty members, students and families is what I’ll miss most. It’s all I’ve known. This place has become an extension of my family. The Stockton community has been so good to me, my wife and my kids, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”
During his final year, Crawford said one of his priorities is helping Stockton R-I move forward smoothly.
“More than anything, I hope to help ensure a seamless transition and do what I can to help the district move into its next chapter.”
The Stockton R-I School Board is already working with the Missouri Association of Rural Educators (MARE) to assist with the superintendent search. The position was recently posted through MARE, which will help collect and vet applicants over the next month. The Stockton R-I School Board will then conduct interviews and select the school district’s next superintendent.
As Crawford looks toward retirement, he leaves the district with a belief that has guided his work as an educator: “Educating from the heart changes the future.”
