Maulsby leaves behind many hats at CLPE

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

Most school principals wear many hats ... but a clown wig, a dinosaur hat and a Christmas tree star? Ron Maulsby, who retires as principal of Cache La Poudre Elementary School this spring, has worn all of those and more.

"One of my beliefs is that it's good to have fun," Maulsby said. "If you're too serious all the time, it reduces your efficiency and productivity."

No problem at his school. Maulsby has hosted Super Bowl assemblies at the school and always leads the Halloween parade, dressed as anything from a pirate to a baby in diapers.

That sense of fun is part of what's made him popular with students and staff at CLPE. He was hired in 1983, his first principal position, and has never left. "When I came," Maulsby reflected, "I thought I would stay three to five years, but the staff kept asking for stability." There's so much change in education, he said, that stable leadership is a big plus.

"The thing that kept me here is the quality of the staff," Maulsby said. "I love working with teachers who love working with children. There's a nurturing, supportive, caring environment at this school. I will really miss that."

He also thinks the children of LaPorte are special. "They're as affectionate and appreciative as any kids I've known," he said. He'll miss the smiles and hugs from the children, as well as the cheers in the gym when he makes a basket at lunchtime.

He probably won't miss the dunk tank, however. Maulsby makes a point of providing incentives each year for the Bookworm Club, and several years back he said the students could dunk him if they reached their goal. They reached it, and they dunked him, but it was a cold, blustery day, and he turned blue before it was over. His other incentives have been humorous too, like kissing a pig or milking a goat.

Maulsby came to education a few years out of college. He was a business major at the University of Colorado and also played basketball for the Buffs. He admits basketball was his main interest in those years. As a principal, he has continued to be a team player, involving both staff and parents in decisions whenever possible.

Maulsby is proud of this inclusive approach at CLPE, one of the first schools in the district to form a school decision-making team. In 1986, Maulsby's leadership style and philosophy took a major turn when he learned how to involve stakeholders in the education process. As a result, the school has a climate that is supportive and open among both staff and parents. "A high level of trust has allowed us to try new things," Maulsby said.

Maulsby is also proud of the high level of education provided in reading, writing and math at CLPE. The new level of accountability in these subjects is a good thing, he said, but he does not believe schools should be punished or ranked by their results. Also, Maulsby said, it's unrealistic to expect the same achievement of all students. CLPE has always performed quite well on the CSAP tests, he noted, despite a student population that is very diverse economically.

Challenges facing schools in the future, according to Maulsby, include giving public schools the support they need, since most children are educated there, and attracting and keeping quality teachers and principals.

Maulsby, 56, doesn't plan to sit in a rocking chair once school is out. He has a real estate license and is training to be a life coach. Fellow golfers will see more of him, and he plans to travel and spend more time with his family. His wife, Sue, is an artist, and children Brooke and Reid work at Advanced Energy in Fort Collins.

Maulsby was hired by Poudre School District on his honeymoon, 28 years ago. The marriage with PSD has been a long one, and many will be sad to see it end.