GYPSUM — Eagle County’s new school superintendent and the school board agreed Wednesday that he would no longer lead local schools.
The school board and Dr. Carlos Ramirez agreed in a board meeting that his employment with Eagle County schools would end. The school board and Ramirez cited incompatible management and leadership styles.
The seven-member school board’s vote was unanimous.
Ramirez moved from Houston, Texas, last summer to take over the school district’s superintendent position. He succeeded Jason Glass, who left Eagle County schools to take the superintendent job in Jefferson County.
“Sometimes, things just don’t work out.”Kate CocchiarellaSchool board president
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In keeping with his contract, Ramirez will receive a $195,000 severance payment and six months of health insurance.
“We were disappointed to learn that we were not a good fit and thank Dr. Ramirez for his contributions to the district during his tenure,” Kate Cocchiarella, school board president, said in a statement. “Sometimes, things just don’t work out.”
Ramirez officially joined Eagle County schools in May after being hired and wanted to change practices in accordance with what had worked for him at larger, urban districts, Cocchiarella said.
The school board said they and Ramirez have been working to resolve their differences since October. Ultimately, everyone agreed that a mutual separation was in everyone’s best interest.
“We wanted him to lead within the boundaries of our community-developed strategic plan,” Cocchiarella said in the statement.
Everyone had the best interests of the students at heart, but their approaches did not mesh, she added.
“Though it didn’t work out, it has ended well, allowing us both to pursue better fits,” Tessa Kirchner, school board vice president said.
In a statement, Ramirez said he is proud of the school district’s accomplishments during his tenure.
“Together, we have begun the process of establishing a dynamic, multi-tiered student support system, which will support the academic and social-emotional needs of our students,” he said.
The school board announced Ramirez’ hiring on March 21, 2018.
Before coming to Eagle County, Ramirez was an assistant superintendent for the Houston Independent School District, where he handled more than 17,000 students in 21 schools, including International Baccalaureate programs, Spanish-immersion programs, charter schools, early-childhood centers and magnet schools.
He has been in education for 28 years as a classroom teacher; an elementary, middle school and high school campus administrator; and as a senior-level administrator in California and Texas.
Staff Writer Randy Wyrick can be reached at 970-748-2935 and rwyrick@vaildaily.com.
