BVSD hires new principals for Boulder, Fairview high schools

Feb. 10—Boulder Valley has hired two women of color, both assistant principals in other school districts, to fill the open principal positions at Boulder and Fairview high schools.

Both are set to start in July.

Scarlet Chopin, now the assistant principal at Evergreen High School, will lead Fairview. She said her goal is to be a "champion for all students to find their place and thrive."

"The most important trait of a leader is that of listening," she wrote in an email. "This is the only way to build relationships. As Fairview's principal, I will ensure that our students' needs are met and community concerns are valued."

She worked at Evergreen High for four years. Before that, she worked as an assistant principal at Denver East and in educational research and evaluation with the Department of Defense Education Activity. She also taught at Northern Arizona University and was a high school Spanish teacher for 10 years.

She plans to start attending Fairview events in the next few weeks to begin getting to know the school community.

"After I officially transition in July, students and staff can expect to see me in classrooms, hallways, attending school events and around the community," she wrote. "I intend to visit with student, faculty, and parent leadership groups, with the goal of getting to know as many Knights and community members as possible."

Chopin replaces Don Stensrud, who retired as Fairview's principal in December after being placed on paid administrative leave in August.

Stensrud, who had served as the school's principal for 17 years, was placed on leave while Boulder Valley investigated lawsuit allegations that he "repeatedly turned a blind eye to rampant sexual harassment and abuse" at the school. The outcome of the investigation wasn't made public.

Terry Gillach, a retired Boulder Valley principal, has been serving as the interim principal and will finish out the school year at Fairview.

Alana Morales, who was hired as Boulder High's principal, said the school stood out for its traditions and diversity. When she starts at the school, she said, she plans to be as visible as possible and to issue an open invitation to meet with families.

"I look forward to learning how I can support the continued excellence that Boulder High is known for," she wrote in an email. "I plan to be out in classrooms and in the halls and at lunch so I can meet as many of the faculty, staff and students as possible."

She's worked for three years as an assistant principal at Folsom High School in Folsom, Calif., and has a doctorate in educational leadership specializing in curriculum and instruction. Previously, she was an English teacher in school districts, including School District 27J, Adams 50 and Adams 12 in Colorado.

She described her leadership style as "servant leadership."

"My purpose is to remove barriers for teachers and make it easier for them to do their job, so they can then remove learning barriers for students," she wrote. "I will work hard to build strong connections with all members of our community."

She replaces Boulder High principal James Hill, who was chosen to fill Boulder Valley's assistant superintendent of human resources position after Mike Gradoz retires at the end of the school year.

Boulder Valley is still hiring to fill a third open high school principal position, this one at Boulder's New Vista High School.

The school's principal, Kirk Quitter, resigned in September after 12 years at the school, citing personal reasons. The district appointed Sennen Knauer, who was the assistant principal at Erie's Meadowlark K-8, as New Vista's interim principal.