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Contract approved for new Elizabeth School District superintendent

Snowberger's base salary is set at $180K

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Serving as the last official item of business for the Elizabeth School Board before three members resigned, a contract was approved for the district’s new superintendent, Dan Snowberger.
 
During the March 13 meeting, the $180,000 contract, plus benefits and perks, was approved in a 5-0 vote. The amount is $20,000 more annually than his predecessor.
 
Following the official vote, three board members resigned: President Cary Karcher, Vice President Kim Frumveller and Secretary Craig Blackham.
 
Snowberger will take over the district’s leadership with the remaining two board members — Rhonda Olsen and Heather Booth — serving as sole directors until the vacant three seats are filled through community applicants.
 
After being introduced to the dozens in attendance on March 13, Snowberger said he is excited while noting that his first official day at work was March 14, with plans to meet with teachers and staff over the next week.
 
According to the approved contract, Snowberger will receive an annual salary of $180,000 to oversee the district with just over 2,000 students. Snowberger will also receive a $500 monthly stipend for automobile use, which equates to another $6,000 per year. Another approved stipend is $40 per month to serve as a cell phone allowance.
 
After the 6-minute meeting was adjourned, several members of the public presented Snowberger with a welcome kit, with remaining board members Booth and Olsen saying they are excited to have the new superintendent lead the school district in the right direction.
 
Snowberger is taking the seat that had been held by interim superintendent Dr. William Dallas, who replaced Douglas Bissonette, who stepped down in 2022 after accepting the job of area superintendent at St. Vrain Valley School District in Longmont. Bissonette had served the district since 2009 before he resigned in June last year.
 
The search for a new superintendent started late last year when the board sought public input on the search through anonymous surveys. As the hiring process continued, tensions within the district and board increased.
 
In February, the district’s work to keep the district free of critical race theory (CRT) curriculum and social emotional learning (SEL) training turned into public outbursts and division among board members, teachers and the public.
 
Snowberger was one of two finalists chosen in the search. The other finalist was Priscilla Rahn. Snowberger was approved as the superintendent on March 2.
 
In a prepared statement prior to the contract approval, Snowberger addressed the fact that national issues have become an issue in the conservative school district and community. Snowberger has assured the public that “national agendas and ideologies have no place in our classrooms.”
 
“While I am confident it doesn’t exist today, the fear of many of our parents and community members is real,” Snowberger said in a March 7 news release. “We will work diligently to implement policies and practices to ensure we uphold these community values and always respect the role of the parent in their child’s education.”
 
Despite challenges ahead with a fractured board of directors, Snowberger said he is excited about doing good things in the school’s future.
Elizabeth School District, superintendent, Dan Snowberger, Elbert County, Colorado

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