Mark Barry will serve as interim principal of Fossil Ridge High School for the 2023-24 school year. His first day in this position is July 12. Thank you in advance for welcoming and supporting him in this new role.
As assistant principal at Fossil for the past seven years, we are confident that Mark will do a stand-out job of continuing to work with the talented team of staff and educators to support all students at the Ridge.
"I know Mr. Barry will continue the RIDGE culture and dedication to ‘Excellence Everywhere.’ Mr. Barry served as a principal in Alaska earlier in his career and is a former Milken Award winner, honored for his instructional practices and dedication to ensuring a bright future for every student,” said Dr. Julie Chaplain, assistant superintendent and former Fossil Ridge High School principal. “I am excited to watch him lead!”
Barry said he is honored and humbled to be selected to lead Fossil Ridge in a time of transition.
“Having spent the last 18 years as a Sabercat, I am committed to supporting our students, staff, families and broader Fort Collins community in this new role.”
Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science and a master's degree in educational leadership from Colorado State University. He has taught in five states and three countries and has been a principal in Alaska where he helped the district win the Malcolm Baldridge Award for excellence in education.
Outside of work, Mark enjoys spending time hunting and fishing and generally being in the wilderness. The bright spots of his life are his wife, Tamara Wolff, who teaches 7th and 8th grade Language Arts at Timnath Middle-High School; and his twins, Clark and Fawn Barry, who are currently going into their junior years at Fossil Ridge.
We anticipate hiring Fossil’s next great, permanent principal around winter of 2023 or spring of 2024. More information will be shared as it is available.