Spending time in schools is a priority for new superintendent

BVSD’s new leader to visit every school and hold 9 community meetings by Thanksgiving

NEDERLAND - On a recent late-summer morning, the crisp Nederland air and a few golden leaves gave a hint of what’s to come as the seasons start to change. When superintendent Dr. Rob Anderson walked into the town’s middle and senior high school, you may have gotten a similar sense of promise.

As superintendent, Anderson intends to spend a lot of time in Boulder Valley’s schools.

“I’ve spent most of my career in schools. It is where the work is actually happening,” explained Anderson. “If I’m not in schools, if I’m not spending time with teachers, with kids, watching learning happen, I won’t be in touch and can’t make informed decisions as superintendent.”

“I’ll always be in schools, whether it is my first 100 days or my last 100 days in this role. I will always make sure it is a priority for me to get in schools to hear directly from the people that are doing the work,” he added.

As you might expect, during the first two days of school, Anderson covered a lot of ground, traveling nearly 140 miles and visiting 16 schools. That, however, was only the beginning.  Between now and Thanksgiving he plans to visit all 57 of BVSD’s schools for in-depth visits.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time with principals, really getting to understand their schools and the communities they serve,” Anderson said. “It makes me proud, not only as a superintendent, but also as a dad and member of this community to know what great things are happening in our schools.”

During the visits he has enjoyed getting to visit classrooms, to see our students and teachers at work.

“I have had a blast,” said Anderson. “It has been really enjoyable to watch so many smart, dedicated educators that comprise our district. That has been really inspiring to me.”

His visits are scheduled at the beginning or end of the school day, which gives him the opportunity to meet with the school’s teachers and staff, introducing himself and giving them a chance to ask him questions. The questions aren’t always easy, but Anderson believes in answering all of them.

“I’m very encouraged to know that the heart of the teaching staff is really to do what is right for each and every kid,” Anderson said.

Beginning in October, Anderson will be meeting with parents and community members in nine community meetings:

October 1, 7 p.m.
Boulder High School
1604 Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder

October 10, 6 p.m.
Centaurus High School
10300 W South Boulder Road in Lafayette

October 22, 6 p.m.
Nederland Middle-Senior High School
597 County Road 130 in Nederland

October 24, 6 p.m.
Broomfield High School
1 Eagle Way, Broomfield

October 25, 6 p.m.
Southern Hills Middle School
1500 Knox Drive in Boulder

November 1, 6 p.m.
Monarch High School
329 Campus Dr in Louisville

 

En Español

BROOMFIELD
October 29, 6 p.m.
Emerald Elementary School
275 Emerald Street in Broomfield

BOULDER
November 5, 7 p.m.
Columbine Elementary School
3130 Repplier Drive in Boulder

LAFAYETTE
November 8, 6 p.m.
Alicia Sanchez International School
655 Sir Galahad Drive in Lafayette

The superintendent says that all of the feedback that he gathers during his first 100 days will help to guide the school district, as students, parents, staff and community members collaborate to create a strategic vision for BVSD.

“It will become the North Star for our work,” Anderson said. “When we build a strategic plan, it is not the Superintendent’s Strategic Plan. It is our strategic plan. Using the data we collected by talking directly to our people and building upon the successes of The Success Effect, we will create a plan for the future that that we can all get behind. Something that everyone believes in and is inspired by.”
 

Keep tabs on Anderson’s travels and the progress he is making on his 100-Day Plan by visiting
https://www.bvsd.org/superintendent/Pages/progress.aspx