Steamboat Springs Picks Kristin Drury as New Superintendent

It's a typical Wednesday morning in Steamboat Springs, with the sun shining down on the Yampa River, and the sound of kids laughing as they head to school. But amidst the routine, there's a sense of excitement and anticipation - Kristin Drury, a seasoned educator with 34 years of experience, has just been tapped as the new superintendent of Steamboat Springs Schools. Drury, who currently serves as executive director of schools in the Douglas County School District, is no stranger to the challenges and opportunities of public education.

As she sits in her office, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of a school district, Drury is already thinking about the work ahead - strengthening student achievement, sustaining academic growth, and improving social-emotional support for students and staff alike. It's a tall order, but one that Drury is well-equipped to handle, given her track record of success in Douglas County. Her school, as a principal, earned the Governor's Distinguished Growth Award - this achievement reflects her leadership and commitment to excellence.

If you've been paying attention, you know that Drury's hiring comes at a critical time - current Superintendent Celine Wicks is set to retire at the end of the 2025-26 academic year, and the board has been searching for a replacement. They hired a national search firm, McPherson & Jacobson LLC, to lead the search, which narrowed down candidates to four finalists. The board then interviewed the candidates, with community-submitted questions, and a candidate forum that drew over 30 people.

Board President Kevin Callahan is confident that Drury is the right leader - "Kristin displayed an alignment of vision, a breadth and depth of experience, a track record of long-standing commitment and the desire to be an integral and supportive part of our community," he said in a statement. Drury's career has focused on equity and academic access, with an emphasis on closing achievement gaps, retaining high-quality staff, and expanding learning opportunities. She's all about mentoring, shared decision-making, and instructional excellence - the kind of thing that makes a real difference in the lives of students and teachers.

During the candidate forum, Drury talked about her vision - ensuring that all Steamboat students have access to consistent, high-quality programs and resources, regardless of which school they attend. She emphasized the importance of "loose and tight agreements" among schools - a way of ensuring that everyone is on the same page, working towards the same goals. "Education has changed... you don't have to guess what is effective and what works," she said. "There's a lot of research. So we need to lean into research, lean into what we know works... so we can have some consistency districtwide."

You've seen the crowds at the high school football games, the parent-teacher conferences, and the community events - Steamboat Springs is a town that cares deeply about its schools. Drury, who was raised in Grand Junction and has roots on the Western Slope, gets that. She knows that relationship-building and working with parents and the community is key to success. "My values very much align with a rural community," she said. "Relationship-building and working with parents and the community is just part of what we do."

As Drury prepares to take the reins, she's got a lot on her plate - from getting to know the community to implementing her vision for Steamboat Springs Schools. It won't be easy, but if you've met Drury, you know she's up for the challenge. She's the kind of leader who listens, who cares, and who is committed to making a difference. So what happens next? Drury will be working closely with the board, the community, and district staff to ensure a smooth transition. She'll be meeting with parents, teachers, and students to get a sense of the district's strengths and challenges. And she'll be diving into the data, to get a better understanding of where the district is, and where it needs to go. It's a new chapter for Steamboat Springs Schools, and one that promises to be exciting, challenging, and rewarding. Come Monday morning, Drury will be rolling up her sleeves, ready to get to work - and the community will be watching, eager to see what the future holds.