Dr. Elizabeth Domangue is no longer superintendent of Manitou School District 14 — she and the district’s school board reached a “separation agreement” on Jan. 20, her last day, says a letter sent by Board President Natalie Johnson to the D14 community.
Dr. Elizabeth Domangue, former superintendent of Manitou Springs School District 14
Domangue and the board “unanimously, mutually, and amicably” agreed that she should leave the district after nearly four years, Johnson said.
This school year, she was faced with criticism and debate over the district’s high rate of staff attrition, which had jumped from 8.77 percent during the 2019-2020 school year to 24.31 percent during 2020-2021, we reported in September. At that time, some former staff cited district leadership, culture and Domangue specifically as reasons why they left the district.
Johnson, however, praised Domangue’s work in her letter. Domangue leaves the district “in a better position in many ways than when she arrived,” she said.
“Her systemic work on curriculum and instruction and multi-tiered systems of support for students will continue to support learning for years to come,” Johnson said. “Tackling COVID and other unprecedented events, she kept our students in the classroom and managed our schools in ways that have now been adopted nationally.”
The board met Jan. 23 to plan interim leadership. Domangue has agreed to help the district with the leadership transition until June 30, Johnson added.
There is a public board retreat and regular board meeting were also scheduled for Jan. 23.