The Lincoln County School District #2 Board of Trustees held their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Wednesday, January 14. One item of personnel approvals during that meeting was the reading of Jake Rich as the new principal of Star Valley Middle School effective on July 1.

Rich will replace current principal, Steve Burch, who had his resignation from the position approved during the December, 2025 board meeting.

“Anyone that goes into education has a desire to give back to kids,” Rich told SVI about his desire for the position. “There are so many awesome people who have gone before me to get me to where I am today. Alan Linford and Kem Cazier; they saw little Jake break the rules and and used teaching moments with me and I want to teach kids that it’s  okay to make mistakes and learn and give back when they are a professional. This puts me in a place to be able to do that.”

Rich also emphasized the school itself.

“In working here at the middle school for the past two and a half years we have ephemeral staff and they make coming to work enjoyable,” he said.  “I hope to have an atmosphere when they walk into the building; they love what they do.”

Superintendent Matt Erickson said that Mr. Rich was what the district was looking for in the position.

“Jake is a proven, student-centered leader,” he said. “He’s able to create and maintain great relationships with staff and there’s a high level of trust. In addition to that, he is well versed as an instructional leader. He understands curriculum and assessment and high-yield research-based instructional strategies. He is able to provide feedback and help grow teachers whether they have 30 years of experience or are just new to the position.”