The Colorado Board of Education announced Tuesday that it has selected Susana Cordova, the former superintendent of Denver Public Schools, to become the state’s next commissioner of education.
Cordova is the board’s sole finalist for the job, which has been held by Katy Anthes since 2016. Anthes announced in December that she would leave the position in July.
Cordova’s appointment won’t be finalized until board members vote during next month’s meeting, but Gov. Jared Polis issued a statement Tuesday morning welcoming her to the new position.
“(Cordova’s) prior work boosting academic progress and improving access to high-quality education for learners of all backgrounds as Superintendent of Denver Public Schools is sure to benefit students across the state as she brings this passion and experience to this new role,” Polis said. “I look forward to working with Susana as a member of my cabinet as we continue to carry forward our bold education priorities.”
Cordova declined to comment for this story.
Cordova led DPS, the state’s largest school district, for almost two years before resigning in November 2020 to become a deputy superintendent at the Dallas Independent School District in Texas. Her resignation came during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
Following the announcement of her departure from DPS, Mayor Michael Hancock and former Mayor Federico Peña released a letter blaming the Denver school board for interfering in the day-to-day management of the district and for Cordova’s decision to leave.
During the start of Cordova’s tenure at DPS, in 2019, the city saw its first teachers strike in 25 years as more than 2,600 educators left their posts in a bid for fair pay. Later that year, the school board flipped as members backed by the teachers union gained control.
Alex Marrero succeeded Cordova as DPS’ superintendent in 2021.
Currently, Cordova is a superintendent in residence for Transcend, an educational nonprofit, and a member of the Board of Trustees at the University of Denver.
“I’m confident Ms. Cordova’s extensive experience working in schools and her caring, student-focused approach to solving the issues facing our education system will lead us toward achieving even greater excellence in Colorado,” Rebecca McClellan, chairwoman of the state board, in a statement.
The board received 23 applications for the commissioner position, which opened in April. The board spent two weeks interviewing candidates in executive sessions, which were closed to the public, before choosing Cordova, according to the news release.
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