Superintendent Search Finalist Update 3/20
After casting a nationwide net and following a process inclusive of feedback from the District 38 community, the Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Board of Education announced Wednesday, March 20, four Superintendent Candidate Finalists who will move forward in the 2024 Superintendent Search process.
We will introduce these candidates by alphabetical order below, and conclude this update with a brief Board Bulletin for the month of March:
Candidate Stacie Datteri
Dr. Datteri has been Assistant Superintendent of Academic Achievement and School Leadership for District 6 in Greeley, CO since 2014. Prior to her current role, she served District 6 as Executive Director of Learning Services, and as a District Literacy Coach and Social Studies Coordinator. Her previous experience included serving as Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Coordinator, and Elementary School Teacher in Yuma, CO.
Dr. Datteri shared, “As your next superintendent in Lewis-Palmer District 38, I will lead with my core beliefs. I will focus first on always doing what is best for students. I will serve the students, community, families, and staff to ensure their success. I will lead the team at Lewis-Palmer to achieve our collective goals through respectful interactions. I will work with the team and Board of Education to ensure access and opportunity for each and every student. Finally, I will lead the team to embrace unmet challenges and turn them into learning opportunities leading with courage and integrity.”
Candidate Michael Freeman
Mr. Freeman is currently a Community Superintendent of Schools in the Jefferson County School District. His 25-year service to Jeffco Schools includes additional work as Director of Achievement, Elementary School Principal and Assistant Principal, Elementary School Teacher, and High School Coach. Mr. Freeman has also served in the non-profit sector as Executive Director and Board Member of the philanthropic DAWG National Hockey Foundation.
Mr. Freeman said, “Your school district has a rich and storied history. As a leader I would honor that history and those traditions that have made Lewis-Palmer great. At the same time I would partner with you as a Board, parents, the community, and students to create a school district that is achieving at the highest levels, innovating for the future and preparing our students for the workforce. Like your roots, my family history also goes back to the one room country schoolhouse where my grandma Irene was a teacher at the first school in the township. Through instructional excellence and innovation, my goal would be to continue to set the foundation for Lewis-Palmer School District to be as equally or more relevant to the success of students 100 years from now.”
Candidate Alicia Welch
Mrs. Welch is the Director of Human Resources for Lewis-Palmer District 38. She previously served the District as Principal of Prairie Winds Elementary School from 2019-2023. Before serving in District 38, Mrs. Welch served as the founding Principal of Global Village Language Immersion Academy. She has also served as a Title I Coordinator, Teacher Learning Coach, and Kindergarten and Fifth Grade Teacher in Colorado Springs District 11.
Mrs. Welch shared, “With a proven track record of success evident throughout my career, I am well prepared to not only meet but exceed your expectations. My extensive experience in diverse leadership positions within schools and districts, such as guiding Prairie Winds Elementary as a Principal and serving as the Director of Human Resources in LPSD, has honed my ability to thrive in dynamic, data-centric environments where precision, accuracy, and effective communication are paramount. Collaborating closely with you and other stakeholders, I am committed to driving transformative outcomes for students, families, and staff in the Lewis-Palmer School District. As a steadfast advocate for students, I deeply value their voices and recognize the individuality of each student, embracing their unique talents, aspirations, and dreams.”
Candidate Amber Whetstine
Mrs. Whetstine is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Lewis-Palmer District 38. Before arriving in District 38 in 2021, Ms. Whetstine served as Executive Director of Learning Services, Coordinator of School Improvement, Elementary School Principal, Assistant Principal, Instructional Coach, and Classroom Teacher in El Paso County District 49. Prior to moving to Colorado in 2004, Mrs. Whetstine taught in St. Paul, MN.
Mrs. Whetstine shared, “As District 38’s assistant superintendent, I have played an integral role in the evolution of our vision, mission, and strategic plan. Through actively soliciting and collecting input from students, families and staff, we identified and clarified our core values of integrity, respect, connection, growth and excellence and developed our portraits of D38 graduates and educators to propel our students toward future success. I am deeply committed to providing leadership to continue pursuit of our vision, to elevate the futures of every student, every day. If selected as Lewis-Palmer School District 38’s next superintendent, I will serve the students, families, staff and community of the Tri-Lakes region with honesty, integrity and a spirit of collaboration.”
On Thursday, 3/21 the full resume, photo and additional information will be posted about each candidate on our superintendent search page, located at: lewispalmer.org/supersearch