The Douglas County School District Board of Education has selected its new superintendent, voting 5-2 to offer the position to current interim superintendent Corey Wise.

Wise beat out 100 potential candidates and three other finalists for the position: Samuel Jarman, Dr. Christopher Page and Dr. Mary Young. The two dissenting votes went to Young.

“Selecting the superintendent is one of the most critical decisions a Board will ever make,” said Board President David Ray. “It was a privilege to meet with so many highly qualified individuals who recognized the treasured opportunity of leading an incredible district like DCSD.”

DCSD is the third-largest school district in the state, serving over 63,000 students and 8,300 employees.

Wise joined the district 25 years into his educational career. At DSCD, Wise was a teacher at Ponderosa High School and Chaparral High School, an assistant principal at Chaparral High School and the founding principal of Legend High School.

Wise moved into DCSD central administration in 2014, serving as a director of high schools and then executive director of schools for the east Highlands Ranch region and alternative education. He currently lives in Parker with his wife and two children.

“The Board is excited about continuing to work with Mr. Wise in leading our district to an even greater place for all our students,” Ray said in a news release.

The board worked with the Frederick Andrews search firm during the selection process. The four finalists participated in a variety of interviews with community members, students, school leaders, educators and other district staff.

Wise will be replacing former Superintendent Dr. Thomas Tucker, who resigned in September 2020 after being placed on paid administrative leave amid an investigation of allegations of improper conduct.

The board voted unanimously to choose Wise as interim superintendent in September 2020.