The Estes Park Board of Education spent about 2.5 hours on Feb. 3 outlining community engagement plans, candidate screening procedures, and a detailed hiring timeline during a special meeting that laid the groundwork for the district’s search for its next superintendent.
The extended meeting came amid a major leadership transition following Superintendent Ruby Bode’s announcement in January that she will leave the district at the end of the school year after 21 years of service. With the search now underway, board members have scheduled more frequent meetings to manage the process.
Community engagement and transparency emphasized
Consultants from Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates, the firm selected last month to lead the search, emphasized that community participation will be central to developing the district’s leadership profile.
An online survey will be distributed widely through district email, including to high school students, and posted on the district website. Consultants stressed that participation is open to anyone, regardless of whether they can attend a focus group.
In addition to the survey, community members may submit feedback by phone or email directly to the consultants. All input will be compiled into a final leadership profile report that will be shared publicly.
Survey responses will be grouped by stakeholder category, including high school students, licensed staff, classified staff, parents or guardians, and community members, with no individual respondents identified. While some focus groups may combine staff groups, survey data will be disaggregated by category to help the board understand perspectives across the district.
Candidate slate and board authority
Consultants outlined the process for narrowing the applicant pool to a group of semifinalists. After vetting candidates, including preliminary background checks, HYA typically recommends a slate of approximately six semifinalists for board consideration.
Board members will review the slate in executive session and retain full discretion to request additional candidates for inclusion. Consultants noted that internal candidates are generally evaluated alongside external applicants unless the board directs otherwise.
Semifinalist interviews will be conducted either in person or virtually.
Travel expense policy set
The board reached consensus on candidate travel reimbursements, agreeing not to cover expenses for semifinalist candidates. For finalists, however, the district will pay for travel, lodging, meals, and transportation.
The board also agreed to cover meals and lodging for a finalist’s spouse or partner, but not cover a spouse’s airfare. Reimbursements will be processed based on submitted receipts.
Advertising strategy discussed
HYA reviewed advertising options for the position, noting that the firm’s own posting provides national exposure through its website, newsletters, and professional networks.
Additional outreach through organizations such as the Colorado Association of School Boards, CASE, and Chalkbeat was discussed as a cost-effective way to expand visibility. Board members agreed to consult with district administration before finalizing any advertising beyond the firm’s standard posting.
Background checks and transition services
Consultants recommended enhanced background checks for the final candidate, citing the increasing importance of thorough vetting in superintendent searches. Board members agreed to revisit the issue later in the process and did not make a decision during the meeting.
HYA also briefly reviewed transition services available to support a new superintendent, including first-year evaluation tools and a transition academy designed to help boards and incoming superintendents establish goals and expectations early in the tenure. Board members discussed how evaluation timing would need to align with district policy, state law, and the superintendent’s contract.
Interview schedule and hiring timeline
The board agreed to conduct semifinalist interviews Saturday, April 4, opting for a full-day session to accommodate board members’ schedules and to allow candidates who currently hold superintendent positions to participate without leaving their districts during the workweek.
Following the April 4 interviews, the board plans to narrow the field to three finalists, whose names will be released publicly in accordance with Colorado law. Consultants explained that finalists must first confirm their willingness to be publicly identified before their names are announced.
The board’s current timeline calls for naming a sole finalist on April 20, after which a required 14-day waiting period will occur before final contract approval.
Consultants said they will prepare board members for interviews by providing vetted question banks and guidance ahead of the semifinalist round.