Widefield District 3’s board of education has interviewed three finalists as it looks to select the district’s next superintendent.

D-3’s current assistant superintendent, Steffanie Howell, its executive director for student assessment and information systems, Megan Houtchens, and the chief academic officer for Pendergast Elementary School District in Arizona, Shelmon Brown, were each asked five questions by the board of education during a special meeting Jan. 30.

The board asked questions on topics ranging from perceived strengths and potential areas of improvement to what kind of leadership each candidate would bring to long-term plans for anticipated growth and improvements.

Each candidate agreed that improving test scores in both English and math proficiency, growing community partnerships and student offerings, and planning for projected population growth over the next 5-10 years would all be priorities.  

When asked how exactly she would fill the roles of long-tenured teachers, Houtchens said she would establish a series of professional learning committees to develop educators and administrators internally while maintaining the district’s continuity and culture.

“For me, what is central to my style of leadership is distributive leadership and shared decision-making. … What is essential to professional learning communities is putting structures in place that allow people to grow into leadership roles at all levels,” she said.  

As the only external candidate for the position, Brown emphasized embracing “responsible innovation” in the district as students’ needs and interests change. She specifically pointed to her current district’s adoption of Dreamscape Learn, in collaboration with Arizona State University.

Using virtual reality headsets, Dreamscape Learn teaches middle schoolers biology concepts through visual storytelling and active-learning techniques. Brown noted that her district was the first in the country to develop this kind of VR lab for one of its schools.

“And so that’s one example of an attempt to respond to the change in how students are learning and what students are asking for,” she said. “While also being mindful that we can’t just chase every single thing.”

Currently serving as the assistant superintendent for the D-3, Howell highlighted multiple programs implemented in recent years and their achievements. She added that if she were selected, she would work to build on and maintain recent district successes and prioritize staffing in different departments in need.

She highlighted closing performance gaps and improving graduation rates with students with disabilities and developing an aviation career pathway as some of her specific goals. She also wants more student input.

“When we make district decisions, it’s for the students and it’s about the students,” she said. “But sometimes I would like to involve them a little bit closer to the decision-making and involve them in the process.”

Last month, current superintendent Aaron Hoffman announced his retirement, effective at the end of the school year.

He has been D-3’s superintendent since 2024 and served in the district for 33 years. Hoffman was a math teacher at Watson Junior High and Widefield High School before serving as the assistant principal of Talbott and Webster elementary schools, principal of Talbott, Janitell Junior High and Widefield High School, and executive director of secondary student learning.

Hoffman is also a D-3 product, having attended South Elementary, Watson Junior High and graduating from Widefield High School. Voters passed both a bond and mill levy override measure and the district itself earned an “Accredited” rating from the state department of education during his time with the schools.

“We are extremely fortunate to have a strong district leadership team and a dedicated school board who are deeply committed to our shared vision,” Hoffman said in a January news release.

“I feel comfortable stepping away at this time because I believe our community is in a truly exceptional place. We have built great momentum and a positive trajectory, and we have established a solid foundation that will continue to support our school district in the years to come.”

The meeting was open to the public, but no comments were allowed. After the interviews, the board went into a private, executive session to discuss the candidates.

The board anticipates its final decision will be made during its Feb. 19 meeting, at the soonest. Candidate interviews are available on the school district’s website.