Durango School District 9-R spokeswoman Julie Popp said Tuesday she is stepping down from her role with the school district after serving 10 years as the district’s public information officer.
Tuesday was Popp’s last official day with the district.
“I decided to resign my position as it is an opportune time to allow a new person with fresh ideas and perspectives to step in and support the district in its next decade of incredible accomplishments and challenges,” Popp said in an email to The Durango Herald. “I am truly grateful for my time at the district.”
Popp described working for Durango School District 9-R as an “amazing experience,” from great celebrations to the challenges school districts are facing across the country. She said serving Durango students and the community as district spokesperson was the most rewarding part of the job.
“I will also treasure the many colleagues and friendships gained over the years,” she said.
Superintendent Karen Cheser said in an email Dec. 21 that Popp would no longer be the communications contact for the school district but did not allude to whether Popp remained with the district.
The school district is seeking a new public information officer, according to a job posting dated Dec. 21 on the district’s careers webpage. The job description says the district is seeking someone to start Jan. 18 or as soon as possible.
Popp served as the school district’s designated election official and directed communications for the district.
She was named along with the 9-R Board of Education as defendants in a lawsuit brought by four Durango residents regarding the filling of a board seat that was vacated in 2021 by Andrea Parmenter, who moved districts. The school district has denied wrongdoing.
cburney@durangoherald.com
