When School Leaders Mix Personal Trips with Public Business

The former superintendent of Cherry Creek Schools and his wife, who also worked for the district, enjoyed two all-expenses-paid trips to Guatemala and Brazil between 2023 and 2024. The trips were paid by private schools in those countries, both of which had business ties with Education Accelerated, a consulting firm hired by the district. Records show the trips lasted longer than the official conferences, with extra days booked at upscale hotels—something ethics experts call a clear conflict. The consulting firm had already made nearly $3 million from the district before the trips. The superintendent’s wife approved one of the biggest contracts after returning from Brazil. Ethics rules in Colorado say public workers shouldn’t accept gifts that could sway their decisions, but school districts police themselves. There’s no state oversight, leaving taxpayers to wonder if big contracts go to friends instead of the best bidders.While the trips happened, the superintendent and his wife were already socializing with Education Accelerated leaders. Emails show the businessman behind the firm invited them to a Steelers game in Pittsburgh and later pitched his new startup to the superintendent’s wife. She responded enthusiastically, saying she’d listen to his podcast on the plane. Days later, she approved his company’s largest deal. Critics say the school board failed to stop these deals. Most contracts were approved without discussion during quick votes. One former board member now says the board has no real control over the superintendent’s actions. The state doesn’t step in because school districts fall outside its ethics commission’s reach. After news broke, the board fired the superintendent’s wife for violating travel policies. The superintendent resigned earlier, though neither gave a reason. Now, the district is under fire for not catching these conflicts sooner.