Centennial SD approves personnel slate, names new executive director of student services and OKs multiple special-education settlements

The Centennial School District Committee of the Whole voted on Sept. 30, 2025, to approve a package of personnel actions and multiple settlement agreements related to special-education placements.

Under agenda item 3.1 the board approved the personnel agenda covering terminations, resignations, authorizations to employ, leaves of absence, change of status, mentor teachers, award of tenure, and co-curricular clubs. The board voted separately on the appointment of the Executive Director of Student Services. The appointment of Dr. Heather Hopkins as Executive Director of Student Services passed on a roll-call vote 6–1 (Mrs. Crosson voted no). The board introduced Dr. Hopkins and Dr. Joshua Feinberg as the new supervisor of special education at the meeting.

The board also approved multiple settlement agreements in lieu of a full satisfaction of the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE): - Agenda item 3.3: settlement for student 26-5 to attend a springtime school and summer extended school year for a total not to exceed $147,337.66. - Agenda item 3.4: service and tuition agreement for student 19-6 with Martin Luther School at an annual cost of $75,592.98, plus the cost of additional services determined by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). - Agenda item 3.5: settlement for student 20 to attend Comprehensive Learning Center for the 2025–26 school year and summer 2026 extended school year for a total cost of $128,500. - Agenda item 3.6: settlement for student 187 to attend New Hope Academy in lieu of FAPE for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 school years at $45,522 per year, plus up to a 3% year-over-year increase. - Agenda item 3.7: settlement agreement between Comprehensive Learning Center and the district for student '23-13 in lieu of FAPE for the 2025–26 school year and the summer 2026 extended school year; cost not specified in the meeting record.

Other approved personnel items included replacement of the health room assistant job description with a staff nurse job description (3.8), the appointment of Adam Mathis to the citizen policy committee (3.2), and other routine hires and status changes presented in the personnel slate. The motions on the numbered settlement agreements passed with unanimous recorded votes where noted (record shows each passed with no opposition on the roll calls called immediately following presentation).

Speakers during the personnel section included Mr. Godickson, who presented the personnel agenda; Mrs. Crosson, who asked to vote separately on the executive director appointment and cast the sole dissenting vote on that item; and administration representatives who introduced the newly hired staff. The board directed standard onboarding and administrative implementation steps following the approvals.