Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — The Steamboat Springs School Board will formally accept Superintendent Cyndy Simms' resignation tonight.

Simms, who has served as Steamboat's superintendent since 1994, announced last week that she accepted the superintendent post for the Mercer Island, Wash., School District.

"I have been exceptionally blessed to work with outstanding teachers, staff members, administrators, parents and board members for these past nine years," Simms said in a statement released Thursday. "I love Steamboat Springs and will cherish my memories forever, but it's time for a new adventure. Our schools are outstanding, our staff is excellent and our students are the best. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of Steamboat Springs for so many years."

Simms' departure means the board must quickly determine how to go about its search for her replacement. The board will discuss the superintendent hiring process at tonight's meeting.

Last week, board President Paul Fisher said the board could either post the superintendent opening or hire a national search firm like the one that tracked down Simms for the Mercer Island School District.

Hiring a search firm, while costing more money, will ensure that the district finds the best possible replacement, Fisher said last week.

Also tonight, the Calendar Committee has developed a tentative school calendar for the next two school years and will present its calendar to the board for feedback, Calendar Committee member Mike Knezevich said.

The calendars are very similar to the current one, Knezevich said.

The district will keep the same break schedules, though the mid-winter Blues Break will start about a week later than it currently does.

Late start, which was supported by the majority of calendar survey respondents, will be implemented at the middle school and elementary schools next year if before-school activities and bus schedules can be worked out, Knezevich said.

School begins approximately 100 minutes later than usual on late start days, which are currently used by the high school, providing teachers and staff with additional planning time and curriculum development.

"Late start is a go if we can get the supervision piece and the bus piece worked out," Knezevich said.

Also at tonight's meeting:

n Board member Paula Stephenson will give an update on the National School Public Relations Association communications audit/survey, which is set to begin sometime this school year. The NSPRA audit/survey will use community focus groups to identify organizational issues within the district. NSPRA auditors will recommend solutions to identified issues.

n The board will address the Equal Access Policy for Student Groups.

n Finance Director Dale Mellor will discuss a preliminary budget for the 2003-04 school year.

n City planner Tom Leeson will discuss the Steamboat Springs Area Community Plan Update.

n The district's administrative team will discuss its recommendations for the Education Fund Board's Educational Excellence Commission.