DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — The sole finalist for the position of interim superintendent at the Douglas County School District (DCSD) has withdrawn his name from consideration, a day after the board announced he had been selected.
At a special meeting on Saturday, the DCSD Board of Education voted 4-3 in favor of Dr. Damon Brown, deputy superintendent of organizational systems and community engagement for Mapleton Public Schools. According to a DCSD press release, Brown has worked in Colorado K-12 education for more than 18 years.
Brown is also a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, the release said.
On Sunday, Brown notified the board he didn't want the job, according to another release.
“I greatly enjoyed getting to know the [DCSD] board better and learn so much about your outstanding school district,” Brown said.
The release said the board was allowing a 14-day waiting period before officially naming the interim superintendent, in alignment with state statute.
“The purpose of the 14-day waiting period was to continue vetting the candidate, allow for public feedback, and ultimately determine whether both parties agree to move forward,” said David Ray, board president.
Outgoing superintendent Thomas Tucker was placed on paid administrative leave on Sept. 2 as the district investigates him for allegations of "workplace discrimination," according to a statement from DCSD.
Tucker submitted his resignation on Sept. 8. That resignation is effective Sept. 30.
The school district initially declined to comment when Colorado Community Media first reported the investigation on Sept. 11, but the district provided a statement Sept. 15 confirming it had received a complaint from a district employee on Sept. 1.
"Per DCSD policy and consistent with best practice, the board of education immediately placed Dr. Tucker on paid administrative leave and retained a third-party investigator to conduct a fair and impartial investigation into the allegations," the statement said. "Because this is a personnel matter regarding an ongoing investigation, we cannot share additional details at this time."
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