A leadership change at one of Utah’s largest school districts is unfolding quickly, but for those in the district, it feels like a natural step.

On March 19, Canyons Board of Education appointed longtime educator McKay Robinson as the next Canyons School District superintendent, selecting a familiar face to guide the district through its pivotal period of proposed boundary changes and school closures as enrollment declines and at the same time, developing an innovation center to bring a new approach of education to students.

Robinson will succeed Supt. Rick Robins, who on March 6 announced his retirement effective June 30. Robins, who has been with the district since 2020, was unavailable for comment.

The appointment was made after what board leaders described as “careful consideration” and breaks from a traditional national search process. Instead, board members opted for continuity, elevating a leader who already is embedded in the district’s mission.

“As the board got talking, we were all on the same page,” Canyons Board of Education President Amber Shill said. “We thought, we have the best person internally, and he's the right person for the job at the right time, so it all aligned. He’s already in tune with what’s happening. He knows our district inside and out, and he knows what our goals are and what we're working on. He can hit the ground running on the first day.”

Robinson, a 25-year educator and current assistant superintendent, will become the fifth chief executive overseeing the district’s 47 schools and programs while continuing implementation of its long-term strategic plan.

“Dr. Robinson has the vision, relationships and community trust we need to build on our success,” Shill said.

For Robinson, the appointment 13 days after Robins’ retirement announcement came as a surprise.

“It did happen very quickly; this is totally unexpected,” he said.

His path to the top job has been shaped by decades in classrooms and school leadership, but also by an influential time in his own childhood.

“My parents divorced when I was 7 years old and going into third grade; fortunately for me, in that third-grade school year, I had a teacher, Mr. Miner, who knew my circumstance, knew what I was going through,” Robinson said. “He truly became so much more than just a teacher. He became an advocate, a champion, one who was constantly pushing me to be the best that I could actually be.”

At the end of third grade, he knew he “was going to be Mr. Miner one day.”

“That ultimately became my goal, and I never deviated from that. I pursued that from the time I left third grade,” he said.

That experience continues to shape how he views his work.

“It’s a never-ending quest for me. I wouldn't be here where I am today without the exceptional teachers throughout my life. Mr. Miner was that starting point, but there were so many more along the way, and I've always believed in providing that same type of opportunity,” he said.

Robinson holds an Associate’s degree from Snow College, a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Korean from Utah State University, a Master’s degree in Teaching from Grand Canyon University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Brigham Young University, and a Doctorate in K-12 Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah.

“I've graduated from the three major universities in the state,” he said. “I bleed red, always have, but I have a special place for the blue because of my experiences at Utah State and BYU.”

Robinson began his career teaching at Sprucewood Elementary in Sandy, then instructed at Butterfield Canyon in Herriman when it first opened. He then served as elementary principal at Sandy Elementary and Lone Peak Elementary, also in Sandy, and became Canyons’ director of elementary schools. He has received multiple awards as an outstanding administrator.

Colleagues say he’s a visible, approachable leader focused on students.

“He's a great listener,” Principal Shad DeMill said. “He does a great job to be able to step back and see all different perspectives of parents, teachers and kids without being judgmental and making good decisions in that way. His focus is on kids and what they need most is right there at the forefront.”

Others emphasized his presence in schools and ability to connect.

“He shows up,” Eastmont Principal Stacy Kurtzhals said. “He supports what's happening in schools and he calls people by name throughout the school district.”

Director of Elementary Schools’ Alice Meridth said his dedication extends to everyone throughout the district.

“McKay is truly rooted in making sure that everything we do is what is ultimately best for kids,” she said. “He's committed to making sure that staff have the tools that they need to be successful. He genuinely loves this district; he's our biggest champion, and at the same time, he's the most humble, down-to-earth, in-the-trenches person.”

Shill said those qualities along with his leadership with district plans such as Canyons’ COVID-19 response and strategic planning efforts made him the clear choice to lead upcoming initiatives, including the development of Canyons Innovation Center, potential boundary changes and ongoing enrollment challenges.

Robinson is ready to build on the foundation already in place, including that of the strategic plan and innovation center.

“The opportunities are endless in that regard, and so I'm really just trying to help carry that vision forward,” he said. “Dr. Robins did a great job.”

Robins’ six-year tenure was marked by both disruption and progress. Taking the helm in the summer of 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he guided the district through unprecedented challenges while expanding employee supports, leading the creation of the district’s first strategic plan and overseeing several school construction and renovation projects.

“The vision of the innovation center is his idea,” Shill said. “We wanted a strategic plan, which Rick led us out on that. Our strategic plan is in place, and it's not something that's on the shelf; we’re continually using it. Rick has been a very collaborative leader who brought people together to make decisions. He cares about the district, the people.”

Colleagues say Robins’ leadership centered on listening and relationships.

“He listened,” Canyons Business Administrator and CFO Leon Wilcox said. “A lot of superintendents don't listen like he did, and he made changes where he could — wellness rooms, teen centers, employee daycare, pay raises. He did anything he could do to make life better for our kids and our employees.”

As the district prepares for its next chapter, Robinson said he hopes to carry that same focus forward.

“Dr. Robins genuinely cared about people. That's something I hope to carry on,” he said. “I genuinely care about our people and want what's best for them.”

With the transition underway, district leaders say the goal is clear: maintain momentum while continuing to put students at the center of every decision.

Robinson is an avid cyclist who has raced in the 200-mile Logan to Jackson, Wyoming (LoToJa) eight times, but now takes 30- to 100-mile weekend road rides with his wife, Dixie. This spring break, they will complete their goal to see every major league baseball team play in their home stadium.