Board names finalist for interim superintendent

The Poudre School District Board of Education has named a retired superintendent, now living in Florida, as its sole finalist for interim superintendent.

The June 21 action follows an earlier search for an ongoing superintendent, which ended with the top candidate turning down the job. The board is working to replace former superintendent Don Unger.

Finalist Nancy Wright is a former teacher, principal and executive director of elementary education and curriculum in Colorado school districts. She most recently served as superintendent of schools in Manitou Springs. The board hopes to finalize a contract and make a final announcement at a special meeting July 12.

Wright, who officially retired in 2003 after nearly 38 years in the field of education, has experience in a wide variety of educational areas, including strategic plans, school choice programs, community mill and bond elections, facility construction and remodeling, school finance, school law, curriculum, contract negotiations, employee evaluation and community-business partnerships. In addition to the Manitou Springs district, Wright worked for Littleton Public Schools and Colorado Springs District 11.

Her degrees include a doctorate in education administration from Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a master's in curriculum and instruction from the University of Colorado and a bachelor's in kindergarten-eighth grade education from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.

The current interim superintendent, Gary Bamford, will retire July 31, and the board will open the search for an ongoing superintendent beginning this fall.