Klamath Falls City Schools has announced the hiring of Chandler Pogue as the next principal of Ponderosa Middle School beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
Pogue brings 13 years of experience in secondary education, including seven years in school administration focused on strengthening instructional systems, improving student support structures, and enhancing school operations at the middle school level.
Most recently, Pogue served as assistant principal at Tri-North Middle School in Bloomington, Indiana from 2023-2026, where he led intervention services and student progress monitoring systems while supporting restorative practices, schoolwide behavior systems, instructional quality, and student growth initiatives.
“Throughout the interview process, it was clear that he brings a strong commitment to improving student outcomes through consistent schoolwide systems, data-informed decision making, and strong instructional leadership,” Fred Bartels, KFCS Executive Director of School Improvement, said.
Prior to his time at Tri-North, Pogue served as assistant principal and athletic director at Edgewood Junior High School in Ellettsville, Indiana. In that role, he supported special education processes, coordinated athletic operations, and helped lead school safety planning and drills.
Before transitioning into administration in 2019, Pogue taught social studies at both the middle and high school levels while coaching wrestling. He began his teaching career at Mississinewa High School in Gas City, Indiana from 2013-2015 before teaching at Tri-North Middle School (2015-2018) and Bloomington High School North (2018-2019), both schools in Bloomington.
Pogue earned his bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in secondary education from Manchester University in 2013 and later completed a master’s degree in educational leadership from Indiana University in 2019.
Bartels said Pogue’s experience aligns closely with the ongoing work happening at Ponderosa and across Klamath Falls City Schools.
“His background and leadership experience align exceptionally well with the KFCNES work being implemented at Ponderosa,” Bartels said. “In particular, his experience building consistent instructional systems, supporting teachers through coaching and feedback, strengthening intervention structures, and using data to improve both academic and behavioral outcomes will be valuable as PMS continues this important work.”
According to Bartels, one of the qualities that stood out most during the hiring process was Pogue’s belief in the importance of both systems and relationships in supporting student success.
“One of the things that stood out most during the interview process was his clear belief that strong systems and strong relationships together create the conditions where both students and staff can be successful,” Bartels said. “He demonstrated a thoughtful understanding of the opportunities and challenges present in middle schools and a genuine excitement about the work happening at Ponderosa.”
Bartels added Pogue will play an important role in continuing to strengthen supports for students and staff at Ponderosa Middle School.
“I am confident Mr. Pogue will be a strong addition to the Ponderosa community and an important leader as the school continues strengthening supports for students and staff,” Bartels said.
Pogue and his family will relocate to Klamath Falls this summer ahead of the upcoming school year. Opportunities for families and staff to meet Pogue will be shared at a later date.
Bartels said Pogue’s background and leadership experience stood out because of his extensive work supporting both students and staff through schoolwide systems and instructional leadership.
“Mr. Pogue has extensive experience strengthening schoolwide systems and routines, supporting teachers and improving classroom instruction, and developing and refining MTSS supports (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support),” Bartels said. “He also brings strong experience using student data to drive targeted interventions, strengthening PBIS systems and student supports (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), and improving systems for students receiving special education services. Those experiences align exceptionally well with the important work happening at Ponderosa Middle School and across Klamath Falls City Schools.”
