Manitou superintendent leaving in June

Manitou Springs School District 14 will soon launch a search for a superintendent to replace Roy Crawford, who will leave the district June 30 to run a school in Cambodia.

Crawford submitted his resignation this week to the Board of Education, which reluctantly accepted it.

"I'm really sorry to see you go," board president Anna Lord said. "You've been a real asset to the district."

After lauding Crawford for "taking the district to another level" and stabilizing its declining enrollment, the board briefly discussed the steps to recruiting a new leader. Lord said the process will include a lot of public input, because a strong relationship between the community and schools is significant to the district's success.

Assistant board secretary Larry Rice volunteered to contact the Colorado Association of School Boards to see where it could assist. CASB is an umbrella organization that provides training and assistance and advocates for local school districts. Manitou employed CASB during its last superintendent search six years ago, which brought Crawford to the job.

Crawford said in an interview that Manitou has been "a wonderful place to live and work" but the job in Cambodia will allow him to spend an extended time living and working in another culture.

"Several times in my career I have left outstanding jobs, which is a major risk," he said Monday. "But I also find that when you take major risks you can get big rewards."

Crawford will have the title of "head of school" at the Northbridge International School of Cambodia in Phnom Penh. Before taking the job in Manitou in 2003, he was director of the Bonn International School in Bonn, Germany.

In a letter Crawford sent to parents last week, he wrote: "Those of you who know me well, know that I am drawn to international education, and even though I have valued my experience here, it is time for me to return to the challenge of international schools abroad."

Crawford said he's proud of the work he's done on District 14's strategic plan and believes it is imbedded in the leadership and the district so that it won't unravel with his departure. He said he also is proud of being able to enhance communication and collaboration between the school district and the community.

His wife, Carrie Crawford, the Manitou Springs Middle School secretary, also submitted her resignation to the school board on Monday. She'll leave her position in late November to begin to prepare for the move, Crawford said, and will serve as an administrative assistant at the Cambodia school.
-
Contact the Writer: 636-0251 or sue.mcmillin@gazette.com