Mancos Schools Superintendent Brian Hanson and Transportation Director Sharon Crook have announced they will resign.
After over a decade as superintendent, Hanson plans to resign after the 2020-21 school year. Crook, who has worked in the transportation department for 25 years, has resigned effective June 30.
“It has been an honor and privilege to work in the transportation department the past 25 years,” Crook wrote in her resignation letter, submitted to the Mancos School District Re-6 Board of Education last week.
“I have been able to work with some amazing people and take some great trips,” the letter said.
She said the Re-6 district had been part of her life for 45 years – as a student, parent and employee.
“I truly believe Mancos School District is one of the best in Colorado,” Crook wrote. “I have personally witnessed how well our staff and students represent our school when traveling to other places, no matter what the event is.”
At a virtual board meeting May 28, the board accepted both resignation and Hanson’s request to convert his contract to a transitional one. He plans to retire after next year.
“I have greatly enjoyed my 22 years in this district, and it has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as your superintendent for these past 12 years (counting next year it will be 13),” he wrote in a letter to the board last week.
In explaining his decision, Hanson recounted a recent conversation he’d had with board President Pam Coppinger. His decision was firm, but he also understood the precarious situation school districts face because of the coronavirus pandemic and likely state budget cuts, and said he would help out if the outlook wasn’t great by next January or February.
“I told Pam I would stop my PERA, put it on hold, and come back the following year,” Hanson said. “But I think that in all fairness to me and my wife in our conversations, it’s the right move for us right now, and we’ll just see what happens going into next school year.”
Hanson stated that the district has a qualified candidate, but he did not specify whom.
The board also approved the resignation of high school social studies teacher Elijah Knepper, and a transitional contract for elementary school teacher Fred Schroeder, who is looking to work while retired this coming year.
“Thanks for a wonderfully rewarding 20 years of teaching and learning here in Mancos,” Schroeder wrote in his letter of resignation. “Keep up the fantastic work you’re doing during these tough times, everyone appreciates it.”
ealvero@the-journal.com
