Aspen School District superintendent to resign
Dave Baugh will join Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club as new executive director
David Baugh/Courtesy Image
Aspen School District Superintendent Dave Baugh will resign at the end of the school year and become the executive director of the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club (AVSC), the school district announced Wednesday afternoon.
He will step down from his position on June 30. He became superintendent of the Aspen School District in April 2020 after leading the Centennial School District in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The school board extended his contract in June 2022 through June 2027. The contract was approved with an amendment to incentivize him to remain with the district until at least 2027.
When he joined the school district, he and other school leaders were tasked with how to operate schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, he helped navigate re-opening schools during the pandemic, executed a voter-approved bond issue, and made advancements toward becoming an International Baccalaureate (IB) school district.
His selection as AVSC executive director was a culmination of a 10-month process, according to the release. He competed in the Olympic Trials for rowing, is an avid downhill and alpine skier, and is a former collegiate crew coach.
“Since first arriving in Aspen, Dr. Baugh has worked 24/7 to support the district’s students, families, staff, and greater community,” said AVSC Board Chair Ryan Smalls in a school district news release. “As AVSC’s next executive director, he will be able to expand his reach to serve many more children throughout the entire valley enhance and strengthen the partnership between the school district and the club.”
As director, Smalls hopes Baugh can help improve collaboration between novice skiers in Aspen Supports Kids, the recreational division of AVSC, and competitive athletes in middle and high school in AVSC.
It is unclear why Baugh decided to leave his contract with the school district early. He did not respond to requests for comment by time of publication.
“I love what we do in the Aspen schools, and I will continue to work tirelessly with the board of education and staff these next few months to ensure a smooth transition for the district’s next leader,” he said in the release from the school district. “Most importantly, I am excited about the opportunity of enhancing our partnership between the district and the club as well as leading AVSC’s work in making a positive, enduring difference to countless current and future budding and accomplished athletes from Aspen to Parachute.”
The school board will discuss the next steps at its March 6 meeting. It is unclear who will fill his role. Aspen School District Assistant Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry was announced as one of three finalists Wednesday for neighboring Roaring Fork School District’s superintendent search.
