March 16, 2022
Osprey Community!

With spring break just around the corner, we wanted to update everyone on the status and next steps in Animas’ leadership transition and Head of School search process. While everyone in our community is busy as we move toward the end of the 2021/22 school year and progress closer to the completion of our new campus at Fort Lewis College, we also recently began the formal process to find our next school leader.

Earlier this month, the Board of Directors established a Head of School Search Committee that will lead a comprehensive and inclusive process to identify and evaluate candidates to fill this critical and challenging position. The committee includes members of the board, faculty, staff, and community. The committee members are:

  • Michelle Bonnano, AHS board member and committee chair, current Animas parent
  • Erin Cummins-Roper, AHS Director of Career and College Counseling
  • Lori Fisher, AHS faculty
  • Jay Grob, AHS board member
  • Steve Smith, AHS faculty
  • Jenny Trujillo, Dean, School of Education at Fort Lewis College 

  • Libby Cowles, AHS Assistant Head of School (committee advisor)
  • Christine Imming, AHS Director of Finance and Human Resources (committee advisor)

As of last week, the committee has taken the following steps:

  • Developed a Head of School job description, which can be found on the Employment Opportunities page of the AHS website
  • Posted the job description on the AHS website and on multiple education employment websites focused on education employment
  • Initiated conversations within our personal networks for further candidate identification
  • Created the email address HOSSearch@animashighschool.com to facilitate communication with interested candidates
  • Developed an initial timeline for the hiring process that will include our community-wide Bonanza interview process (we will share this timeline and details of community participation once finalized)
  • Began developing appropriate rubrics for candidate screening and evaluation 

We hope to name a new head of school sometime in May, ideally prior to the very busy period around exhibitions, graduation and other end-of-the-year activities. 

Animas High School offers a unique and special situation for the right new Head of School: 

  • A long and distinguished track record of preparing students for college and postsecondary success using our innovative project-based curriculum
  • A seasoned group of exceptional faculty and staff members
  • An engaged student body
  • Partnership with a supportive local community
  • A fabulous new facility on the Fort Lewis campus and the opportunity to build special relationships and programs with the college

Our board and search committee look forward to putting a special person forward for our special situation, and we commit to keep the community updated and gather your invaluable input as we progress.

Thanks so much!

Jeff King
AHS Board President

Michelle Bonnano
AHS Board and Search Committee Chair

Jay Grob
AHS Board and Search Committee member 
Upcoming Events

Spring Break: Mon. 3/21 through Fri. 3/25

Professional Development Day (no classes): Mon. 3/28

AHS Open House for Prospective Families: Thurs. 3/31, 8:45am

AHS Board Meeting: Thurs. 3/31, 5:30pm

School Excellence Committee Meeting Fri. 4/1, 12pm

PSAT9, PSAT10 and SAT (9th, 10th and 11th grade): Wed. 4/13, 8:30am-12:30pm

Professional Development Day (no classes): Fri. 4/15

Online Osprey Parent Coffee: Fri. 4/22

LINK Internships (11th grade): Mon. 4/25 through Fri. 5/13

Bears Ears Camping Trip (9th grade): Mon. 5/2 through Thurs. 5/5

Professional Development Day (no classes): Fri. 5/6

All School Exhibition: Thurs. 5/19

AHS Graduation: Fri. 5/27, 4pm
Animas High School prepares all students for college and postsecondary success by creating critical thinkers and engaged citizens through an innovative, student-centered, project-based curriculum. We accomplish this through:
Rigorous academics, where all students are prepared for college success
Culture of excellence, where students are held to high expectations
Strong student-faculty relationships, where students are well known.
Engaging learning, where students see the relevance in their education