Dan Snowberger, superintendent of Durango School District 9-R, is staying in Durango.
Snowberger was one of four finalists for the superintendent position with Thompson School District in Loveland.
The Reporter-Herald of Loveland reported Thursday that the board unanimously chose Marc Schaffer as the next superintendent of schools.
Snowberger described his decision to apply for the position as a win-win situation.
“One of the reasons I applied was the parallel tracks our districts have been on,” he said. “I am very happy in Durango. It was an opportunity to learn more about another district.”
It was the best possible outcome for the Durango school board, said board president Nancy Stubbs.
“It’s being a little selfish perhaps, but the board is thrilled,” she said. “We didn’t want Dan to go. We respect him and appreciate all of the work he has done for us.”
Although Snowberger was one of the top choices for the position, the board picked Schaffer “after hearing concerns from teachers about Snowberger possibly having ties to reform philosophies,” according to the Reporter-Herald.
Stubbs praised Snowberger’s work within the district, including his work on a salary reform that rewards teachers for performance.
“The board can say to him, ‘We are not interested in reforms,’” she said. “He has so many talents. I don’t understand their reasoning, and they missed out on a great opportunity to have a superintendent who would lead them into the future.”
Snowberger said he is looking forward to continuing his work within the district.
Before joining Durango 9-R’s team in 2012, he worked as the assistant superintendent for Harrison School District near Colorado Springs.
He earns $166,000 annually and has a $600 per-month car allowance. He receives the same benefit package as all 9-R employees covering health, dental, life insurance and four weeks of vacation annually.
mrupani@durangoherald.com
