Superintendent's Office
Introducing: 'Our Legacy' stories
April 18, 2025
Rogue Valley community,
Those of us who have been a part of the Phoenix-Talent School District community for a long time know the kind of students we put out into the world – fine citizens, world-changers, critical thinkers who exemplify the qualities commonly associated with the place in which they grew up. In short, men and women who live up to and even surpass this little district’s not-so-little vision: “Together, we shall meet the challenges of preparing responsible, creative, lifelong learners.”
Since we occupy a relatively small space in a region that includes six larger school districts, it’s to be expected that the accomplishments of some of our most distinguished alumni will often go unnoticed, even those who call Phoenix, Talent or south Medford home. Until now, that is.
As the PTS superintendent – not to mention a longtime PTS employee who started here as an assistant principal at Phoenix High way back in 2004 – I am excited to share that we now have a virtual place where you can go to learn about some of our most distinguished alumni, the people whose stories are now part of the PTS legacy. The "Our Legacy" page is a great place to go if you’d like to find out how far our former students have gone – former PTS students like Patrick Johnson, a 1987 Phoenix High graduate who is now a Spokane county judge and crime novelist. Or Ben Mills-Cannon, a 2003 PHS grad who has built a global career in mobile app development and currently works for eBay. Or 2006 PHS grad Marci Klimek, a two-time Olympic trials qualifier in the marathon who has also found time to become a hospital administrator and paralegal.
These success stories and many others that you’ll find on the Our Legacy page serve as a reminder that big things can, and often do, begin in small places and my hope is that they will inspire our current students to chase their dreams relentlessly, reach high, and remember that this amazing place they call home has set the scene for so many remarkable stories. The next ones are being written in our schools right now and I can’t wait to read them!
Brent Barry, PTS superintendent
Brent Barry, Superintendent
Brent Barry has been Phoenix-Talent’s superintendent since 2017 when he was promoted from the role of assistant superintendent for academics and student programs. He worked his way up through the ranks, teaching health and math in Prineville, Oregon City, and Medford before taking over as vice principal and athletic director of Phoenix High School. Later, he served as principal at Orchard Hill Elementary, one of three elementary schools in the Phoenix-Talent School District, before becoming one of the district’s two assistant superintendents.
Prior to the 2021-22 school year the Oregon Association of School Executives (OASE) and the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA) named Barry the 2022 Oregon Superintendent of the Year.
Barry was born and raised in the Rogue Valley, attending McLaughlin Middle School and later South Medford High School before heading to San Diego State University on a baseball scholarship. Barry later attended Southern Oregon University and Linfield College (now Linfield University), where he met his future wife Sara. The Barrys, who were married in 1996, have two daughters: Alex and Lauren.
Brent Barry
Phoenix-Talent School District Superintendent
541-535-1517; brent.barry@phoenix.k12.or.us
Denise Skinner
Executive assistant to the superintendent and school board secretary
541-535-1517; denise.skinner@phoenix.k12.or.us