WEEK OF JULY 27, 2023
VOLUME 135 | ISSUE 1
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Littleton Public Schools enters new era Brian Ewert steps down as superintendent as Dr. Todd Lambert moves into role BY SHEA VANCE SVANCE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Former Superintendent Brian Ewert ended his eight-year tenure on June 30, following almost a decade of sweeping change across Littleton Public Schools that coincided with a shifting educational landscape as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread under enrollment, and political rifts in surrounding districts. With an in-shape budget, a nonpartisan board of education, and a strong staff in the superintendent’s office, Ewert thinks the district is in the right place for a big change. “If the district was in crisis, I would not retire,” Ewert said. During his time with the district, Ewert oversaw the passage of a major bond in 2018 and a mill levy override in 2020, increases in teacher pay, major school renovations, and the creation of a career and technical education center to be opened this fall. As he passes the torch to Dr. Todd Lambert, who began as superintendent on July 1, Ewert is ready to depart after expending so much stress and energy managing the district during the pandemic. “Those were really, really challenging years for administration, for central office, for principals, and for teachers,” Ewert said. “I had used so much energy, and it was such a challenging time that I really felt like I gave everything that I could to lead the district. Honestly, it felt like my
Littleton to host SpaceX rocket booster exhibit Free attraction will be installed on DISH Network corporate campus BY SHEA VANCE SVANCE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
superintendent’s office and on the board are by no means indicative of district issues, noting turbulence in neighboring school districts. “This is kind of the normal flow of districts,” Reichardt said of the turnover. “There’s a lot of districts in our area that are having a lot of problems, and I think we’re not one of them.” This fall, two spots on the board— those currently held by Reichardt and Lindley McCrary—are up for reelection. Reichardt is termed out, but McCrary is running for reelection. Reichardt described Ewert as a “change agent,” noting his modification to professional learning community meeting operations for
In an effort to boost tourism, Littleton will this fall display a 146-foot-tall SpaceX Falcon 9 first-stage rocket booster. The free attraction, which would be the third of its kind in the country, can be seen on the DISH Network corporate office campus on Bowles and Santa Fe. Cantey Ergen, co-founder of DISH, said that the company aims to “bring aerospace technology to the community.” Littleton’s city council recently heard about the plan during a presentation at a July 18 council meeting. The booster is expected to be delivered by SpaceX — the well-known spacecraft manufacturer founded by business mogul Elon Musk — in September. Littleton Public Works and Utilities Director Keith Reester told members of the city council about the roles and responsibilities shared between the city, DISH, and the Telluray Foundation, which is funding the project.
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Incoming superintendent Dr. Todd Lambert paid visits to a few schools earlier this year PHOTO COURTESY OFLITTLETON PUBLIC SCHOOLS before beginning his tenure on July 1.
tank was running dry, and I didn’t want to be the guy who continued to come to work with an empty tank.” Ewert said he was “always hoping to get 10 [years] in Littleton,” and that he likely would have stayed an extra two were it not for the pandemic’s impact on schools. “I won’t miss the work. I will absolutely miss the people,” he said. The board is seeing significant changes as well, with longtime member and president for almost two years, Robert Reichardt, preparing to leave when he finishes his second term. Although Reichardt’s term is not quite over, he has already passed the presidential baton to Angela Christensen, who has served on the board since 2021, to aid the transition. Reichardt said the changes in the
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