Despite public opposition, the Montezuma-Cortez school board voted unanimously to appoint Assistant Superintendent Eddie Ramirez as the district’s next superintendent, succeeding Tom Burris, who is set to retire in November.
The decision followed a nearly two-hour executive session during the board’s monthly meeting. Ramirez was chosen over Michael McFalls, one of two finalists in a search process many residents criticized as rushed and lacking transparency.
Before the vote, several community members urged the board to delay the selection or appoint an interim superintendent until after the Nov. 4 board election. Speakers cited concerns about trust, timing and the district’s leadership climate under Burris.
In a tense exchange, former RE-1 school board member and current Colorado Board of Education member Sherri Wright turned away from the board to address the audience directly, condemning what she described as misinformation and personal attacks.
“I did not come here with the intention to speak,” Wright said to the board as she turned toward the audience and pointed, “but after listening to you guys, I am embarrassed because you are attacking people and you are reading news articles that are mostly false.”
Wright referenced the Colorado Times Recorder article “Bully: The Crisis of Leadership in Montezuma-Cortez Schools,” calling it false.
The lengthy article, which quoted now-public phone recordings, reported that the district faced a leadership crisis centered on Burris. It reported a pivotal moment in June 2024, when Cyndi Eldredge, then head of HR, recorded a 90-minute phone call in which Burris, allegedly impaired, launched into abusive tirades, referring to one teacher in profane and sexist terms and another who could go “straight to (expletive) hell.”
Wright also criticized the influence of social media.
“I truly believe that social media has destroyed this school district,” Wright said before someone in the audience attempted to interrupt.
“I’m facing you right now,” Wright said to the audience member.
“I don’t have Facebook anymore, social media, because of you. I’m just saying that you embarrass me, you attack people for no reason, you do not allow the board to focus on education. Education is why we’re here. Students are why we’re here.”
As Wright finished, Burris clapped.
Resident Chuck Forth was the first to address the board, followed by Nicci Crowley. Both asked the board to take more time in selecting a superintendent, with Forth saying it was the most important decision the board will make.
Crowley said she was concerned with the speed of the decision.
“Allowing 10 days for applications and hiring someone 35 days after our current superintendent resigned is not due diligence. It is a rushed job,” Crowley said.
Abbie Herring said the “rushed” hiring process wasn’t building trust with the community, and continuing to move forward could further damage that already fragile relationship. Torrey Palmer said it would be better for the new board, to be elected in the Nov. 4 elections, to be part of the hiring process, as they are the ones who will be working closely with the superintendent.
Palmer said that an informal 24-hour survey that she conducted on Facebook showed 452 of 491 respondents favored extending the hiring process.
“I think our district has lost a lot of confidence in our community, said Helen West, Cortez Community and Economic Development specialist. She added that the district could rebuild that confidence by waiting to hire a superintendent after the board election.
Emily Christensen looked to Dolores and Mancos, saying it took those boards “months” to select their superintendents. If McFalls or Ramirez are selected, they should not be “placed in the shadow of the current superintendent,” especially since Ramirez has experience under Burris.
She said the “Bully” article painted a “deplorable picture” of the district, and Burris should have been dismissed when the recording was released.
Another speaker suggested that the board, which had a split vote when choosing the candidates, listen to the community and conduct a full search.
Montezuma-Cortez High School Principal Jennifer Boniface and new District Accountability Committee member Allen Maes also spoke.
“What is happening in our community, the constant political bashing, the spread of misinformation and public division is damaging our schools and impacting our students,” Boniface said, adding that the board spends most meetings listening to political opinions and personal attacks rather than focusing on education.
She said the district has “made progress in the face of relentless adversity.”
“We already lost one qualified (superintendent) candidate because of the toxic polarization and hostility that have taken root here,” Boniface said. “Our children are watching; they see how we treat one another.”
Maes said he thought that the board would pick a good superintendent, but that it select an interim superintendent for a year.
During its discussion period, the board touched on residents comments. Board member Ed Rice said the board was moving slowly when it came to hiring, and it shouldn’t take six months to a year.
Board President Sheri Noyes said some people know she wants what’s best for kids – her own and others.
“Those who can’t pick me out of a lineup can say whatever they want,” she said.
Leland Collins said he was tired of RE-1 being at the bottom of Colorado’s districts and the focus should be on kid.
Board member Paul Beckler asked to make a motion to delay the hiring process, but Noyes said the board would discuss it behind closed doors, in the executive session.
Jason Hall shared that though he had originally thought the board needed more time, he believed both candidates were “super” qualified. He added that it would be irresponsible to sign a “big” contract before the end of the school year.
“I think we need to give them a shot as an interim candidate and then move forward in June or July when it’s time to sign a new contract, as long as they’ve proven themselves,” Hall said.
After announcing their choice as Ramirez at the end of the meeting, the board said contract negotiations would follow at a later time.
