Estes Park School District names three finalists in superintendent search after executive sessions

The Estes Park School District R-3 Board of Education voted on April 4 to declare Jeff Casey, David Grubbs and Matthew Wright finalists in its search for a new superintendent.

An HYA consultant led the district through an interview-and-selection briefing before candidate interviews began, telling the board that “today is not about choosing the next superintendent” and that the immediate goal was to identify finalists. The consultant explained that candidates would have 45 minutes for interviews (about three to four scripted questions), that the board should generally avoid follow-up questions in the initial round, and that a head‑to‑head comparison form would be used later to tally pairwise results and identify the top three candidates.

Board members moved into executive session twice during the day under Colorado law to review confidential candidate materials. The board cited Colorado Revised Statutes sections 24-6-402(4)(c) and 24-6-402(4)(g) and referred to confidentiality provisions of the Colorado Open Records Act (CRS section 24-72-204-3A-11A) when making the motion to discuss documents submitted by applicants without candidates present.

After returning to open session in the afternoon, the board adopted a resolution declaring three finalists for superintendent. The resolution listed Jeff Casey, David Grubbs and Matthew Wright as finalists. The motion to adopt the resolution was moved and seconded and carried by roll-call vote; the board recorded ayes from the members present and the motion passed.

The board announced next steps and scheduling: a board work session is set for April 14 at 3:30 p.m.; April 15 will be finalists' day in the district; and final interviews are scheduled for April 16.

The district used outside consultants from HYA to structure the interviews and scoring. HYA representatives are recorded in the meeting as participating in executive session. The transcript notes variations in how consultant and representative names were recorded in different parts of the record; the board’s public action was the adoption of the resolution naming the three finalists. The resolution and scheduling set the district up to proceed with finalist visits and final interviews in mid-April.