Karen Sanchez-Griego, one of three Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 superintendent finalists, dropped out after Monday’s community event, leaving Assistant Superintendent Eddie Ramirez and Michael McFalls still in contention.
The finalists were chosen during a special school board meeting Oct. 7. The approval passed 4-3, with Sheri Noyes, Paul Beckler and Jason Hall voting “nay.” Tiffany Cheney, Leland Collins, Mike Lynch and Ed Rice voted in favor, according to BoardDocs.
The Journal obtained resumes via a Colorado Open Records Act request.
Ramirez has more than 40 years of experience in Texas, Colorado and New Mexico. He has served as assistant superintendent at Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 since 2022. In 2021, he worked as interim superintendent at Crystal City ISD, Texas, and as executive director of finance and operations at Carrizo Springs CISD, Texas.
He also held assistant superintendent roles at Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD, Texas (2019–2020); Roswell ISD, New Mexico (2016–2017); and Edgewood ISD, Texas (2011–2015). He was superintendent at La Pryor ISD, Texas (2001–2009) and principal at Uvalde CISD, Texas. He held various roles in New Mexico schools from 1993 to 2011.
McFalls, who has a Ph.D., has more than 40 years of experience. He served as superintendent at Grand County School District, Utah (2024–2025) and taught at Lockhart High School, Texas (2022–2024).
He was superintendent at Custer County School District, Colorado (2019–2021); principal at Judson Early College Academy, Texas (2015–2018); Kitty Hawk Middle School (2010–2015); and Miller’s Point Elementary (2002–2010), among other roles dating back to 1983.
He received a 2021 Colorado Superintendent of the Year nomination and was named Judson ISD Administrator of the Year in 2015.
Superintendent Tom Burris announced his resignation Sept. 16, giving the board 60 days to find a replacement. If no candidate is selected, Burris said he will stay until his contract ends in July 2026. He began his tenure in 2022 after initially planning to be interim superintendent for four months.
The job description and application were posted Sept. 23, with a Sept. 29 deadline.
A Sept. 24 memo said the board received “more than half a dozen” applicants and nearly 100 people viewed the posting.
“While we understand that some members of the community believe that the timeline for hiring MCSD’s next superintendent should be lengthened, the timeline has so far proven to be sufficient…” the memo said.
HR Generalist Rhonda Tracy told The Journal the district interviewed four candidates. Initial interviews were held Oct. 7, when the finalists were announced.
Lynch said the board plans to select the new superintendent at its regular meeting Oct. 21. An executive session will be held to interview and rank finalists.
The Journal has been unsuccessful in contacting the finalists’ former districts for additional background.
