Thomas S. Tucker, Ph.D. Named Sole Finalist

Thomas S. Tucker, Ph.D. Named Sole Finalist for DCSD Superintendent
Posted on 04/10/2018

The Douglas County School District (DCSD) Board of Education has named Thomas S. Tucker, Ph.D. as the sole finalist to lead our 68,000-student district as superintendent on a unanimous vote.

“After a thorough national search, we are pleased to offer this critical position to Dr. Tucker, a career educator who will bring his expertise and knowledge to this role to help DCSD continue to grow academically, while strengthening our climate and culture,” said David Ray, DCSD Board President. “I am certain Dr. Tucker will bring our community together to do what’s best for kids.”

“Dr. Tucker is an inspirational leader. He has an impressive track record of being a lifelong educator who is dedicated to students,” said Ray. “He is a decision maker, a servant leader and a unifier. Dr. Tucker truly champions public education which is in direct alignment to this school board.”

Dr. Tucker is currently the superintendent of Princeton City Schools in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has 29 years of experience serving in the Kansas and Ohio public school systems. He has held the positions of classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of secondary curriculum and superintendent.

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Board of Education and the community for placing their trust and confidence in my abilities to serve as superintendent,” Tucker said. “It’s a distinct honor and privilege to help lead one of America’s finest - and I do mean finest - public school systems.”

The DCSD Board of Education contracted with an executive search firm, which assisted in the development of a leadership profile of desired qualifications. These qualifications were derived from online surveys, community input meetings, and Board priorities. Over 1,100 inquiries were received regarding our superintendent position. These inquiries came from nearly every state in the U.S. Of those who ultimately submitted applications, the search firm screened and narrowed the pool of candidates based on their match to the leadership profile. From there, the Board of Education screened the candidates and selected the finalists.

Focus groups were assembled, made up of DCSD staff, educators, parents, community members and students, all of whom were randomly selected to participate after they expressed an interest to do so. The intent for these focus groups was to interview the finalists as a panel and provide the Board with impressions about the finalists from multiple perspectives. Additionally, a Community Forum was held in which the candidates participated in a moderated discussion. Audience members had the opportunity to submit their feedback via an online survey.

“The Board extends our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Douglas County community for participating in the search for a permanent superintendent,” said Ray. “We simply could not have done this without the support of our community.”

Dr. Tucker has been twice named National Superintendent of the Year (American Association of School Administrators in 2016 and National Alliance of Black School Educators in 2013). Dr. Tucker succeeds Erin Kane who served as the district’s interim superintendent from 2016-2018.

“Interim Superintendent Kane has been invaluable to DCSD over the past two years. She has provided great leadership during this period of transition and we greatly appreciate her service to the district,” said Ray.

“There is a great deal of pride throughout the district. Clearly there is a focus on doing what is best for students,” said Dr. Tucker. “I give the community my promise - you are going to get 110 percent effort out of me each and every day.”

Dr. Tucker is expected to assume the superintendent role on July 1.

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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).