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Week of March 23, 2023
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 128 | ISSUE 6
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Contract approved for new superintendent Snowberger’s base salary is set at $180K BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
on March 14. “It is always disappointing when adult issues impact a school district and keep it from focusing on the most important work — ensuring our students receive the best education possible,” Snowberger said in a prepared statement. “After working with board members, I am confident that we will overcome this situation and refocus on our mission. I am excited to join the Elizabeth School District team.” No public comment was allowed and the board held no discussion on any agenda items. Immediately after the board officially recognized the three resignations, Karcher
Serving as the last official item of business for the Elizabeth School Board before three members resigned, a contract was approved for the district’s new superintendent, Dan Snowberger. During the March 13 meeting, the $180,000 contract, plus benefits and perks, was approved in a 5-0 vote. The amount is $20,000 more annually than his predecessor. Following the official vote, three board members resigned: President Cary Karcher, Vice President Kim Frumveller and Secretary Craig Blackham. Snowberger will take over the district’s leadership with the remaining two board members — Rhonda Olsen and Heather Booth — serving as sole directors until the vacant three seats are filled through community applicants. After being introduced to the dozens in attendance on March 13, Snowberger said he is excited while noting that his first official day at work was March 14, with plans to meet with teachers and staff over the next week. According to the approved contract, Snowberger will receive an annual salary of $180,000 to oversee
SEE SCHOOL BOARD, P2
SEE SNOWBERGER, P10
Remaining Elizabeth School Board members Rhonda Olsen, left, and Heather Booth will move forward with filling three vacant PHOTO BY THELMA GRIMES seats after several board members resigned amid controversy last week.
Elizabeth School Board members resign 3 step down, 2 remain as board works to fill vacant seats BY THELMA GRIMES TGRIMES@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A meeting that took only six minutes on March 13 will have a lasting impact on the Elizabeth School District for the next month to a year. As expected, three board members resigned, effective March 14. With the resignations, only two members remain on the board in what is being called an “unprecedented” set of circumstances.
The resigning board members were President Cary Karcher, Vice President Kim Frumveller and Secretary Craig Blackham. The three attended the regular meeting virtually. Remaining on the board are Rhonda Olsen and Heather Booth — the two board members who attended the meeting in person. On the evening of March 13, Karcher called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. The board approved the regular agenda items, including the consent agenda and final approval of the contract for the new superintendent. Starting amid controversy, the district’s new superintendent, Dan Snowberger, officially took the helm
INSIDE: CALENDAR: PAGE 11 | VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14
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2023
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