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Interim or permanent superintendent?
The Clear Creek school board will define parameters for its search
BY DEB HURLEY BROBST DBROBST@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
e Clear Creek school board will begin a whirlwind schedule to try to nd a new superintendent by the time the school year starts on Aug. 16.
e rst step, which took place at a special board meeting on June 27, was to hire McPherson & Jacobson to guide the district through the search. e district will spend no more than $10,650 for the service.
e second step was to meet on July 5 to decide whether to hire a one-year interim or a permanent superintendent. Whether an interim or permanent superintendent, the board was to have discussed the salary range for the hire and the criteria to be used to narrow the search.
e Clear Creek Courant will provide coverage of the July 5 meeting online at clearcreekcourant.com and in the July 13 print issue.
Superintendent Karen Quanbeck has announced that she will be leaving this fall. She will become the vice president of statewide partnerships for the Colorado Education Initiative, an organization the district has been working with as it has transformed its education model for students at all grade levels.
Quanbeck was hired in June 2019, and the search, which was facilitated by McPherson & Jacobson, took about 10 weeks. Quanbeck has said her new position is exible, so she will be available to help during the transition to a new superintendent.
“ is is not a turnaround,” board President Sandi Schuessler said at the June 27 meeting. “It’s a transition.”
Board member Kelly Flenniken added that it was important to get a superintendent who will be the right t for the district.
“( e school district has) been moving in a new direction, and the school board sets the vision,” Flenniken said. “It’s important the community knows it was at the board’s direction, not the superintendent’s.”
More about the search
Just like the search four years ago, the new search will include stakeholder meetings to nd out what parents, sta and the community want from a new superintendent.
Norman Ridder, owner of McPherson & Jacobson, told the board he hoped to have resumes from potential candidates by the end of July, the initial interviews within about a week after that, and then the school board along with other stakeholders would interview the top candidates before the school board makes a hire.
Walt Cooper with McPherson & Jacobson said the search was very exible.
“Traditionally, a superintendent search starts in the fall with hiring in early spring,” Cooper said, but a permanent superintendent search, especially with Clear Creek School District’s reputation for implementing innovative learning models, would net solid candidates.
An interim superintendent search also would garner strong candidates, he added.
Ridder said traditionally, school districts get more applicants for interim superintendents than permanent ones because retired superintendents want a one-year position, and some would consider moving to Colorado for a year.
“We don’t want you to feel like you are super pressured and hemmed into a one-size- ts-all scenario,” Cooper said.
Schuessler said Quanbeck has reached out to a retired principal who might provide a good interim solution and to Chris Gould, the current Clear Creek High School/ Middle School principal, who could step into the role for a year.
Currents
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Mount Evans Hill Climb: e Bob Cook Memorial Mount Evans Hill Climb, sponsored by Team Evergreen, will be July 8. rough the proceeds of the Bob Cook Memorial Hill Climb, Team Evergreen has donated $3 million to local nonpro ts including Bicycle Colorado, Colorado Mountain Bike Association, Special Olympics, Boy Scouts and more. For more information and to register, visit www.bicyclerace.com.
Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup Days in Empire: Friends of Clear Creek will host Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup Days in Empire from 8-10 a.m. on Saturdays, July 15, Aug. 19 and Sept. 16. Meet at the Empire Visitors Center, and the group will clean up a half mile of Empire’s two-mile stretch along Highway 40.
private homes, historic museums and a private Victorian-style garden. Pick up tickets starting at 8 a.m. at Strousse Park, and homes open at 10 a.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/painted-ladies-andvictorian-secrets-home-tour-tickets.
White Water Music Series: e White Water Music Series, sponsored by the Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District, will be Fridays at the Idaho Springs Sports & Events Center. Concerts will be from 5:30-8 p.m. Moonstone Quill will perform on July 7, 2nd Time Around on July 14 and Tonewood Stringband on July 21. For more information, visit www.clearcreekrecreation.com.
Camp Comfort Weekend Camps: Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice’s Camp Comfort for children 6-12 who have lost a loved one will be July 7-9 at the Rocky Mountain Village Easter Seals Camp, 2644 Alvarado Road, Empire. Cost is free for all children thanks to donors, but a $25 deposit is required per child to hold their spot. Visit campcomfort. org for more information and to
Paddle & Brew: Cabin Creek Brewing is hosting Paddle & Brew from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, July 11, 25, Aug. 8 and 23 at Georgetown Lake. Registration fee is $15 an paddle board rentals are $10.
Free legal clinic: A free legal clinic will be from 2-5 p.m. ursday, July 13, at both the John Tomay Library in Georgetown and the Idaho Springs Library. Volunteer attorneys will answer questions and explain the process and procedure for all civil issues, including family law, property law, probate law, collections, appeals, landlord-tenant law, small claims, veterans issues, and civil protection orders. Call your local library to be added to the sign-up sheet. Idaho Springs Library 303567-2020 or Georgetown Library 303-569-2620.
Georgetown Plein Air Event: e sixth annual Georgetown Plein Air art event will be July 28-29 in downtown Georgetown. e event includes a Quick Draw in historic downtown. e exhibit and sale will run through Aug. 13. Artists can register at www.eventbrite.com/e/ plein-air-2023-artist-registrationtickets-466470875947.
Painted Ladies and Victorian Secrets Historic Home Tour: Georgetown’s historic home tour will be July 29 and includes a tour of eight e Clear Creek High School alumni reunion: e Clear Creek High School alumni reunion will be Saturday, July 29, at the Idaho Springs Elks Club. For more information, visit clearcreekhsalumni. org.
Rapidgrass Bluegrass Festival: e Rapidgrass Bluegrass Festival will be Aug. 4-5 at the Shelly/Quinn ball elds in Idaho Springs. Friday night is free, though a limited number of tickets are available. Earlybird tickets for Saturday’s event are $25 until June 1. For more information, visit rapidgrassfestival.com.
Georgetown to Idaho Springs
Half-Marathon: e 45th annual Georgetown to Idaho Springs HalfMarathon will be Aug. 12, hosted by the Clear Creek Booster Club that supports high school and middle school students. Register at www. gtishalf.com.
Devil on the Divide 2023: e
Devil on the Divide 2023 50K and 22K will be Sept. 9, both reaching altitudes of 13,000 feet. Prior ultrarunning experience is required. For more information and to register, visit devilonthedivideultra.com/ sign-up.html.
Ongoing
Summer Fun at the Rock House: e Clear Creek Rock House is o ering Summer Fun at the Rock House for sixth through 12th graders from 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays. Dinner is provided. Some of the activities include paddle boarding, boating and use of our full activity court for badminton, basketball, volleyball and more. All activities are free. For more information, call Cheryl Holmberg at 303-519-0144.
Mountain Jams: Mountain Jams concerts start at 2 p.m. on Saturdays through Sept. 16 at Library State Park in Georgetown. is year’s acts, sponsored by Georgetown Cultural Arts and Georgetown Heritage Center, include a mix of jazz, bluegrass, rock, folk and country. Artists include local favorites and internationally recognized touring artists. For a complete lineup and additional details, visit www.eventbrite.com/cc/eorgetownmountain-jams.
Blue Spruce Habitat volunteers needed: Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers. A variety of opportunities and exible schedules are available on new construction sites as well as for exterior minor home repairs. No previous construction experience needed. Contact volunteer@bluesprucehabitat.org for information.
Walk-in vaccine clinics: Walk-in vaccine clinics for adults and children needing u and other vaccines are available from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays at the Clear Creek Health and Wellness Center, 1969 Miner St., Idaho Springs. No appoint- ments required for the vaccines, though you can pre-register by calling 303-670-7528.
Resilience1220 counseling: Young people 12 to 20 can get free counseling through an Evergreen-based organization called Resilience1220. Comprised of licensed therapists, Resilience1220 serves individuals and groups in the foothills including Clear Creek County. ey also facilitate school and community groups to build life skills in wellness and resilience among youth. For more information or to schedule a counseling session, visit R1220.org, email Resilience1220@gmail.com or call 720-282-1164.
Dental clinics: Cleanings, X-rays, dentures, tooth extractions and more. Most insurances are accepted including Medicaid. Sliding scale/low-cost options are also available. No appointment necessary. is is a mobile dentist that comes once a month. Call program manager Lauralee at 720205-4449 for questions.
Clear Creek Rotary 2000 meetings: Clear Creek Rotary 2000 meets at 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Marion’s of the Rockies. 2805 Colorado Blvd., Idaho Springs. For more information, email loe er806@comcast.net.
Support after suicide loss: Heartbeat and Resilience1220 o er Support After Suicide Loss from 5:30-7 p.m. the fourth ursday of the month for ages 14 and older. Join inperson or online. Suggest donation is $15. For location, visit R1220.org.
Storytime with Miss Honeybun: Storytime with Miss Honeybun is at 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays at the Idaho Springs Public Library and at 11:15 a.m. ursdays at the John Tomay Memorial Library in Georgetown.
Sensitive Collection: Resilience1220 o ers a monthly workshop for highly sensitive people to help them live healthy and empowered lives from 3:30-4:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month via Zoom. Visit R1220.org for more information.
Sometimes we just have to laugh at ourselves, right? Or is it that sometimes we just have to laugh with ourselves?
I am not laughing at you; I am laughing with you kind of thinking as we look in the mirror. My laughing at myself moment came the other day while I was traveling. I had boarded my ight and was checking my email on my phone before we took o . As I tried loading my email app, it took about 8 seconds. And in those 8 seconds I became frustrated and thought why is this taking so long? Cue the laughing at myself.
Each year as technology advances our need for speed seems to advance with it. We want information and we want it now. We not only want it now, but we also expect the information to be fed to us before we even have to think about it, we train the technology to understand what we like and want before we ever even have to search for it, we simply turn on our device and lo and behold there it is waiting for us to consume it.
In a recent meeting with a partner,
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Life and death
