The search for a head boss for the Woodland Park RE-2 School District may finally be reaching a conclusion.
The Woodland Park RE-2 Board of Education has named three finalists in its search for the district’s next superintendent, after going for months without a top permanent administrative leader. The three superintendent finalists are Ginger Slocum, Eric Owen, and Chris Selle.
The Board of Education conducted the search in partnership with staff at Grundmeyer Leader Services, which facilitated a comprehensive review process, according to a district press release. The following is a brief background of the top finalists, compiled by district officials:
Slocum, Woodland Park’s interim superintendent and former chief academic officer, brings 28 years of experience in education. She joined the district in 2019 as principal of Columbine Elementary School. Her administrative experience also includes serving as principal of Fitzsimmons Middle School in the Platte Canyon School District and Highland Park Elementary School in Pueblo City Schools.
Owen, a Woodland Park graduate, currently serves as superintendent of the Hayden School District. His administrative experience includes leadership as principal of Mountainside Elementary School in El Paso County School District 8 and Summit Elementary School in Woodland Park. Earlier in his career, he served as assistant principal at Jordahl Elementary School and Woodland Park High School.
Selle has served as superintendent of the Meeker School District since 2015. He previously led the Custer County School District as superintendent. In the Limon School District, he served as secondary principal before taking on the dual role of superintendent and high school principal. He brings a background in engineering and international experience.
He also served as board president of the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, advocating for rural school districts at the state level.
According to district officials, as for the next step, the board and stakeholder interview team will conduct formal interviews with each finalist on March 12.
The board will then deliberate and reach a final decision shortly after the formal interviews.
The next superintendent will begin serving the Woodland Park School District on July 1.
Whichever finalist gets the pick will have to hit the ground running in becoming the district’s first new district superintendent since the sudden exit of Ken Witt in 2025. The board of directors is vastly different from the panel during Witt’s reign. In addition, the district faces some hefty financial challenges.
