Finalists named for superintendent

Public meetings planned

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Two nalists competing for the role of Littleton Public Schools superintendent will visit the district and host public receptions to get to know the community next week.

After several stages of a robust application and interview process, the Board of Education chose nalists at its Jan. 26 meeting.

Melissa Cooper and Todd Lambert are the last candidates hoping for the role. A third nalist, Douglas VanderJagt, withdrew from the selection process for personal reasons on Feb. 1.

“One of the most important things the school board does is hire and evaluate and supervise the superintendent,” Board President Robert Reichardt said. “ is is the rst time we’ve hired a superintendent in eight years and I’m just thrilled with how well the process has gone” time and money spent on long commutes, more air pollution, and greater economic and workforce challenges,” Polis said. Polis added that rising housing prices are “putting the dream of homeownership out of range for more and more Coloradans.” e governor’s assessment squares with the ndings of Colorado Community Media in our four-week series exploring what many experts say is a housing crisis — one that a ects practically everyone in the Denver area. Lower-income workers are seeing larger chunks of their paychecks go to landlords. Young families can’t nd starter homes they can a ord. Retirees don’t see any attractive options for moving and downsizing, meaning their homes stay o the market, helping keep prices high.

Over 20 applicants originally applied for the role, he said.

“Just look west,” Polis said in his address. “In California, decades of poor planning has led to interruptions of drinking water and electricity for entire towns and cities, average home prices over $1 million in major cities and 16lane freeways” with “bumper-to-

SEE STRESSES, P16

“ ank you to everyone who applied to work for this district,” Reichardt said. “It is an honor to know that that many people are interested and willing to work in this district and work for our kids and I am very grateful for that.”

Melissa Cooper

Melissa Cooper is currently the assistant superintendent of learning services for the Littleton School District. She said she was inspired to apply for the superintendent role because she loves the district and is committed to its great work and continuous improvement.

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“My motivation is about leading in Littleton Public Schools,” she said. “It’s not about becoming a superintendent in another district or elsewhere. is is all about my commitment to our district.”

Cooper has been in the district for 12 years, working with support services, health services, curriculum and more.

If selected as superintendent, she said her vision will be to connect and sustain recent important work of the district, including the development of the EPIC Campus, the East Community Center, a new elementary school and work related to instruction and equity.

In addition, she hopes to help the district face challenges related to declining enrollment and sta ng.

“I want to continue to see our district grow and improve and continue to do great things for our community and our students,” she said. “I feel like I have the background in our district, and I have relationships and an understanding of our strengths and our challenges. And I’m ready to try to help continue to move that forward.”

Cooper said she is honored to be selected as a nalist and she considers it a privilege to lead in the district.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’ve been so pleased with the process,” she said. “ e board and our district have conducted an excellent process that’s been very fair and welcoming to me and I’m really

Dear Davis Schilken, grateful for the opportunity.”

Todd Lambert

Todd Lambert is currently the superintendent in the Warrick County

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School Corporation in Boonville, Indiana. Prior to his current role, he served as a curriculum instruction and assessment director, assistant superintendent of elementary school and interim superintendent in Poudre School District in Fort Collins.

During his time in Fort Collins, Lambert admired Littleton Public Schools for its commitment to professional learning for sta , he said. In addition, the community support of the district makes it stand out to him.

“I still believe in the promise of public education and what it can do for our students and our communities, and I think it’s clear that the Littleton school community believes the same and is willing to invest in that promise,” he said.

If he were chosen for the position, he would want to focus on continuing what is already working for the district, he said.

“Littleton’s a tight-knit community that really supports the school,” he said. “I’d want to get out and try to meet as many people as I can and as soon as possible, get a feel and an understanding for what motivates everyone there and the priorities.”

He said he would also want to continue the district’s focus on school safety and to continue to build a system that prepares the youngest learners in the community for success. He also said he would want to put energy towards upkeep of the district’s aging facilities.

Like Cooper, Lambert said he would want to help the district face its challenges in declining enrollment and sta ng shortages.

“It’s certainly one of the most desirable jobs in the state for all the features that go with it,” he said. “I have to take my shot at it.”

Receptions e district will hold four recep- tions to give community members the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, ask questions and ll out a survey to provide feedback to the board.

Lambert’s receptions will take place on Feb. 6 from 9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.

“My favorite part of being a superintendent is to engage with the school community – that two-way interaction,” he said. “Because you learn about what’s important from others, you learn about what their priorities are and you get a sense of the school community you’re representing through those interactions.” e receptions will be held in the boardroom of the Education Services Center located at 5776 S. Crocker St. Spanish interpretation will be available at all receptions, according to the district’s website.

Cooper’s receptions will be on Feb. 8 at the same times.

“I am looking forward to sharing a little bit about myself, but more than anything, hearing from (community members) what their needs are, what their hopes are and getting a better understanding of how, if I were selected to be superintendent, how I could support our incredible community moving forward,” she said.

Next steps ree committees of parents, city leaders, teachers and administrators will interview the candidates and provide feedback to the board on that day, district spokesperson Diane Leiker said. Afterwards, the board members will conduct public interviews of Lambert and Cooper. e board will then deliberate and plans to announce their nal decision in early March, Leiker said.

After the receptions, board members will review community feedback in preparation for the nal interviews on Feb. 22.