An Open Letter to the Jefferson County Community
JCAA, the official organization of the Jefferson County Administrators Association, would like to share our views on the current state of education in our school district.
We’ve Come a Long Way
Your school district has come a long way in the last few years and we believe it is well on its way to achieving the highest levels of cohesiveness and excellence you have come to expect from Jefferson County Public Schools.
The Restoration of Respect, Civility and Hope
First, the current Jefferson County Board of Education members, Ron Mitchell, Ali Lasell, Amanda Stevens, Susan Harmon, and Brad Rupert, have restored civility, respect and hope in our school district.
They have treated all employees, citizens, and students with respect and dignity. Their handling of school policy and practice as school board members has been well within the letter of the law and well beyond the spirit of it.
There is no doubt that each of our current board members has done everything within their power to put the best interests of Jeffco students and our community first. That is obvious to us because we are affected by every decision they have made and every action they have taken. We know the future of our children and the community we serve every day is dependent on them.
As individuals they have always been open and honest in their work and their communications. Their behavior has been professional and consistent with the highest expectations we have for elected leaders. We trust this school board with the future of our children, our community and our careers.
While we have not agreed with every decision they have made, we believe they have heard and considered the concerns of the many diverse groups in our community. Amid this complex diversity, their decisions have always been made with the best interests of our children in mind.
The Selection of a Great Superintendent
Next, in what is usually considered the most important responsibility of school board members, the recruitment and selection of a Superintendent, they have conducted a tremendous, open and transparent national superintendent search.
They hired one of the best national search firms in the country and reached out and contacted over 800 quality candidates across the nation. This generated 69 quality applicants. This is the best pool of candidates Jefferson County Public Schools have had in recent history, at least in the last thirty years.
They narrowed that field down to the top eleven most qualified people and then selected the top six to interview. They chose Dr. Jason Glass who in their opinion was “by far the best candidate.”
We concur. Dr. Glass is an exceptional leader. He is a former commissioner of education, an outstanding Superintendent, and a quality, national education leader experienced in collaboratively transforming the quality of education in school districts and the broader community.
Looking Forward to a Bright Future
Jeffco Schools are built on a solid foundation devoted to excellence. We are confident that tradition will continue under the leadership of this excellent school board and our new superintendent, Dr. Jason Glass.
As Jefferson County Public School leaders we are looking forward to the bright future our children and this community deserve.
Sincerely,
The governing Board of the Jefferson County Administrators Association
Colleen Owens, JCAA President Principal, Green Mountain High School
Jon DeStefano, Executive Director, JCAA
Tara Pena, Principal Oberon Middle School
Jeff Pierson, Principal Standley Lake High School
Frank DeAngelis, Emeritus Member Representative
Marcella Hoefner, Achievement Director School Innovation & Effectiveness
Sarah Cahill-Sena, Information Technology Ed Tech Development Manager
Pam Yoder, Student Success Office Assistant Director, ERD
Esther Valdez, Principal Rose Stein International Elementary
Wendy Doran, Principal Carmody Middle School
Rob Bishop, Principal Arvada West High School
Lisa Nolan, Principal Lasley Elementary
Matt Hilbert, Principal Peck Elementary
Robert Malling, Principal Allendale Elementary
Elizabeth Lohff, Assistant Principal Bear Creek High School
Greg Jackson, Executive Director Transportation & Fleet Services, Transportation Services
Chris Linton Sr., Application Security Analyst Information Technology
Mike Babkiewich, Director Building Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance
Jennifer Steele, Director Education Research & Design/Curriculum & Instruction
Amanda Pierorazio, Principal Coronado Elementary
Jennifer Pennell, Principal Dutch Creek Elementary
Angie Sanders, Assistant Principal Conifer High School
Tracy Jett, Principal Mt. Carbon Elementary
David Epp, Principal Mt. Evans outdoor Lab School
Karen Brown, Principal Shelton Elementary
Patty DeLorenzo, Principal Devinny Elementary
Diana Sanchez-Hart, Assistant Principal Lumberg Elementary
Stacy Bedell, Principal Eiber Elementary
Robert Lopez, Principal Little Elementary
Gavin Goodrich, Principal Ralston Valley high School
Renee Williams, Principal Lukas Elementary
Sherry Carter, Principal Vivian Elementary
