cherry creek school district
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Finding of no discrimination against former Cherry Creek Schools principal upheld
The Denver-based federal appeals court agreed on Friday that a judge properly resolved a former Cherry Creek School District administrator’s claims of discrimination in the district’s favor based on employees’ “loss of confidence” in her leadership. Linda Maccagnan was a longtime district employee who brought several claims alleging due process violations, disparate treatment, unequal pay,…
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Cherry Creek School District paid law firm $114K, including $40K for political consultant, over superintendent allegations
The Cherry Creek School District paid $114,000 to hire outside counsel to provide the Board of Education with legal advice as it navigated the allegations that were swirling around the former superintendent. Fisher Phillips invoices obtained through a Colorado Open Records Act request show the district paid $114,191.50 from March through June. Roughly a third…
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Cherry Creek spent $65K on investigation, but invoices remain secret, records show
After previously refusing to disclose the cost associated with the investigation into the former superintendent and his wife, the former human resources chief, Cherry Creek School District officials partially released records showing the cost to taxpayers: $65,054.85. The Denver Gazette obtained “invoice cover sheets” through a June 12 Colorado Open Records Act request seeking —…
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Cherry Creek School Board fires former superintendent’s wife from top HR role
The Cherry Creek School Board today announced the termination of Brenda Smith, the district’s chief human resource officer. She’s the wife of former Superintendent Chris Smith, who abruptly resigned in January during his annual review. Brenda Smith’s termination marks the latest upheaval for a district that has faced months of leadership turmoil and controversy. “In…
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Cherry Creek School Board member resigns after ‘racialized remarks,’ district says
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include a response from former board member Terry Bates, which was received after publication. Cherry Creek School Board Member Terry Bates resigned after making “racialized remarks,” the district announced Friday. District officials did not disclose what the remarks were. “When a member’s actions fall short of board…
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Cherry Creek School District to pay assistant superintendent $190K to retire amid leadership shakeups
Cherry Creek School District taxpayers will pay Assistant Superintendent Anthony Poole more than $190,000 to retire at the end of the school year, according to the school district’s separation agreement. Obtained under the Colorado Open Records Act, the agreement stipulates that the Cherry Creek School District will pay him a lump sum of $187,925 under…
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Ex-Cherry Creek superintendent must repay one month’s salary after abrupt resignation
Former Cherry Creek School District Superintendent Chris Smith must repay one month’s salary for failing to provide the board of education with three-month’s notice of his resignation, The Denver Gazette has learned. The board of education has not waived the requirement, Abbe Smith, a district spokesperson, said in an email. The spokesperson declined to say…
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Cherry Creek school district to pay ex-superintendent $165K after resignation amid toxic workplace claims
The Cherry Creek School District will pay nearly $165,000 to former Superintendent Chris Smith following his resignation last month amid allegations of a toxic workplace. The board of education announced last week that the district is contractually obligated to pay Smith $119,857.87 in unused sick leave and $44,070 in vacation leave. He abruptly resigned in…
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Cherry Creek orders outside audit, tightens contract oversight amid leadership shakeup
Amid heightened public scrutiny following recent leadership upheaval, the Cherry Creek School District will launch an independent audit of its internal controls and impose stricter contract approval rules, lowering the dollar threshold for board oversight and requiring additional executive and legal sign-offs on spending. Friday was the fifth time the board has met over the…
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Cherry Creek School District Assistant Superintendent Tony Poole placed on administrative leave
Cherry Creek School District Assistant Superintendent Tony Poole has been placed on administrative leave, district officials confirmed Wednesday. Lauren Snell, a district spokesperson, declined to say whether Poole’s administrative leave was paid or not. Poole started with the school district in 1989 as a teacher and worked his way up the ranks to assistant superintendent…