Article Contributed on: 9/17/2008 12:34:59 PM
The Cherry Creek Schools Board of Education announced Sept. 15 they have selected Deputy Superintendent
Mary Chesley as the sole finalist for the position of Superintendent.
The Board conducted an in-depth interview with Chesley last week after deciding to begin the search with her to replace outgoing Superintendent
Monte Moses.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed the interview process with Mary Chesley," Board member
Jennifer Churchfield said. "When evaluating the Superintendent position description, Ms. Chesley clearly exceeds the criteria for this job."
Chesley joined the Cherry Creek School District in 1989 as a teacher at Creekside Elementary School. In 1995, she was hired as principal at High Plains Elementary School. She became Executive Director for Elementary Education in 1999, Assistant Superintendent in 2004, and was appointed Deputy Superintendent in 2007. Her responsibilities have included supervision of the district's 39 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, 6 high schools, as well as alternative programs in the district.
"Ms. Chesley has demonstrated a keen understanding of the district budget, and has a broad picture of human resources in general, and knows and appreciates what our teachers and staff members do every day," Board treasurer
Jim O'Brien said. "During the past five years, Ms. Chesley has been involved in the final hiring decisions of the majority of the district's principals and assistant principals in their respective current positions."
The Board also praised Chesley's leadership skills.
"To me a leader is someone who has a vision, can communicate that vision to the district, can empower the group to attain it and then celebrates the success," Board member
Claudine McDonald said. "This is what I see in Mary."
"Ms. Chesley understands the importance of emphasizing school safety so that students are not only physically safe, but feel safe so they can concentrate on learning," Board member Randy Perlis said. "I trust her to take care of my own children's safety, and the safety of all 50,000 Cherry Creek students."
Board President
Aagje Barber summed up the Board's consensus in choosing Chesley as the final candidate.
"Ms. Mary Chesley is highly qualified and fully prepared to assume the position of the Superintendent for the Cherry Creek School District," Barber said. "She is able to build on the current momentum towards our twin goals of excellence and equity and college preparedness for all students. She has clearly demonstrated that she can inspire confidence in her leadership among staff members and the community."