The Poudre School District Board of Education has selected three finalists for the Superintendent position. All are from Colorado.

Dr. Sandra Smyser, Dr. Todd Lambert and  Dr. Oliver M. Grenham are the top finalists for the Superintendent position.

See the video below of the candidates at a community forum on February 23.

The board is expected to select the Superintendent at their March 12 meeting.

The finalists:

Dr. Sandra Smyser

Current job: Superintendent of Eagle County School District in Vail, since 2008. Dr. Sandra Smyser

Highlighted responsibilities/accomplishments:

• Leader of a school district that includes 18 schools and serves approximately 6,400 students.
• Led  implementation of new Colorado Academic Standards.
• Led system-wide improvements designed to close the achievement gap between minority and non-minority students.
• Improved efforts to track individual student progress and needs.
• Built partnerships with community groups while leading efforts to provide students with strategic and focused supports.
• National leader in teacher development and evaluation.
• Financial management during times of severe revenue decline and times of growth.

Work history: Prior to Eagle County School District, Dr. Smyser was the Interim Superintendent in Steamboat Springs School District, Superintendent of Las Virgenes Unified School District in California, Superintendent of Carpinteria Unified School District in California and Superintendent/Chief Business Official for Solvang Elementary School District in California.

Education: Bachelor's of Science Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education, University of Maryland; a Masters of Arts Degree in Education and Spanish, University of South Carolina; and a Ph.D. in Special Education, University of California, Riverside.

Quote from submitted essays: "Our compelling vision for the future must be about student achievement. I always insist that the vision we develop be centered around students and their success...I studied our student achievement struggles and met with staff and teachers...I met with Foundation partners and PTO/PTA leaders. I visited schools. I listened to district and school leadership. It was clear to me that the district was poised and ready to focus on achievement gap issues and embrace a vision of  achievement for ALL students." Read Dr. Smyser's complete essays in response to four questions.
 

Dr. Todd Lambert

Current job: Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment for Poudre School District, Dr. Todd Lambertsince 2010.

Highlighted responsibilities/accomplishments:

• Directs Assessment System for student learning.
• Coordinated district transition to new Colorado Academic Standards.
• Supervises instructional materials adoption processes.
• Manages ongoing budget of over $4,000,000.00.
• Evaluates/approves new course proposals.
• Coordinate stakeholder groups to develop district Unified Improvement Plan.
• Serves as chair, co-chair and leader of several district collaborative groups like Standards-based Teaching and Learning Framework (Task Force 2), District Accountability Committee, PSD Food Advisory Panel and more.

Work history: Prior to PSD, Dr. Lambert was the Assistant Superintendent of Westfield Washington Schools in Indiana, a faculty member at Anderson University and Executive Director of Learning Systems for Westfield Washington Schools.

Education: Bachelors of Arts Degree in Communications, University of Kentucky; Masters of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership, Ball State University; and a Ph.D. in Educational Studies, Purdue University.

Quote from submitted essays: "PSD stakeholders will support the shared vision as they recognize how their investment will ultimately result in a learning system that is characterized by high levels of student achievement, parent and student satisfaction, and postsecondary readiness for our graduates...We are blessed to live in a community that is rich in resources, support,and a passionate desire to assure a successful future for our children...I will leverage these assests and bring our stakeholder groups together to establish our long-term vision for success." Read Dr. Lambert's complete essays in response to four questions.
 

Dr. Oliver Grenham

Current job: Chief Education Officer for Adams County School District 50 in Westminster, Dr. Oliver Grenhamsince 2011.

Highlighted responsibilities/accomplishments:

• Responsible for overall adminstration of 18 schools.
• Lead the work of Learning Services department to increase student achievement and success at schools.
• Supervises adminstrators/staff in curriculum, assessment, instructional technology and special populations.
• Provides leadership for development and implementation of competency-based educational programming.
• Provides leadership for utilizing resources including budget and staffing allocations.
• Collaborates with/fosters relationships with parents/community members regarding district direction, programs and student issues. Serves as a liaison to various community groups and as a representative at state and national levels.
• Served on the leadership team that passed a bond referendum ($97 Million) to build new schools and repair existing facilities.

Work history: Prior to this position, Dr. Grenham was the Executive Director of Learning Services, Director of Learning Services for Elementary Education and Director of Learning Services for Assessment & Accountability for Adams County School District 50.

Education: Bachelors of Science Degree in Education, National University of Ireland; Masters of Arts Degree and a Specialist in Education Degree, University of Colorado; and an Ed.D from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

Quote from submitted essays: "I have had the privilege of leading my current school district through massive systemic reform known as CBS (Competency Based System)...This model consists of  four major components; Shared Vision, Leadership, Competency Based Design and Continuous  Improvement.The success of this reform was and continues to be heavily dependent upon embracing a compelling shared vision...While creating a shared vision is important, it is only the beginning of the process, work must also be done to implement, monitor and sustain it." Read Dr. Grenham's complete essays in response to four questions.