Michael Loughead remembers having a positive experience when he was a student growing up in eastern Pennsylvania years ago.
That curiosity inspired him to consider a career in public education — and that’s where he has been ever since.
Loughead, 66, of Oakmont, will retire as Hampton Township School District’s superintendent at the end of June, capping a 42-year career in public education.
“When you love what you do and you enjoy the energy that comes from working in a school, it’s been an incredibly, personally rewarding experience,” Loughead said. “Frankly, I’ve always enjoyed and loved being with young people. I think it’s a gift and a responsibility to work with young people and children.”
Loughead has spent the past decade as Hampton’s top administrator. Before that, he served in administrative roles in the South Fayette Township and Burrell school districts.
He is also a certified English teacher, and has worked as a school psychologist.
“I’ve always felt that for any educational instruction to make a difference, everyone has to work together,” Loughead said. “When you do that, the students are rewarded. That’s what I’m most proud of here, the way our school community works together to put kids first.”
Loughead said he tells people that he’d never dream of being superintendent at a district like Hampton.
“It is a special school community,” he said. “It has a long commitment of stability and support of public education. It’s a passion everyone has, of the schools being the heart of the community.”
Hampton’s academic experience supports the whole child, he said. Teachers are innovative with how they work with students.
“We have tremendous arts experiences, our athletics are competitive and it’s a small enough district that our students are involved in multiple experiences,” he said.
Jill Hamlin, Hampton’s board president, said she appreciates Loughead’s steady and thoughtful leadership. She said Loughead approaches his work with compassion, professionalism and integrity.
“He has a unique ability to bring people together around new ideas, helping us move forward in ways that reflect both innovation and shared values,” she said.
Hamlin credits Loughead’s leadership in navigating Hampton through the covid-19 pandemic and lockdown; facilitating changes to school start times and the high school instructional schedule; and creating a partnership with the YMCA to provide before- and after-school child care.
Loughead also oversaw the first phase of the high school renovation and helped develop the district’s career-ready framework, Hamlin said.
“Michael Loughead’s leadership has made a meaningful difference in our district,” Hamlin said.
Loughead believes the future is strong not only for Hampton but public education in Western Pennsylvania. Current and future school leaders should continue to be innovative and take advantage of changing technology, he said.
“I see the future as a bright future, but it means we have the opportunity to embrace those kinds of changes and spend time navigating them instead of waiting for someone else to do it,” he said.
Loughead’s wife, Mimi, will retire from her position as a workforce coordinator at Carlow University the same day as her husband, June 30.
Michael Loughead said he plans to enjoy retirement and visit the couple’s three adult children, Reid, Emily and Helen, and their families, more often.
Loughead also wants to stay involved in public education in some way, he said.
Hamlin, the school board president, said Hampton has engaged a search firm, BR2, to find Loughead’s successor. The search firm is currently collecting applications and hosting group meetings to take feedback on qualities the next superintendent should have, Hamlin said.
“I have great confidence that the consultants, along with the board, will do a nice job recommending a candidate for a good transition, and be in the position in July,” Loughead said.
