Cody selected by Haxtun BOE for superintendent

The Haxtun Board of Education has selected Marsha Cody as the next Superintendent of Haxtun Schools. Marsha was chosen during a special meeting last week and verbally accepted a short time later via a phone conversation with Board President Rich Starkebaum.

Board members began the special meeting, each voicing their top selection between the three candidates who interviewed in early April. A unanimous vote followed to offer the position to Cody, who serves as Interim Superintendent in Alamosa.

"I am very honored to be selected," Cody said. "The other two candidates are excellent educational leaders and I am thrilled and humbled to have the opportunity to serve the Haxtun School District."

Cody earned her Bachelor's Degree in elementary education from Alamosa State College and began her career in education teaching fourth and fifth grade at Evans Elementary School in Alamosa. She also worked at the same school as an Intervention Specialist and Instructional Coach.

In 2009, Cody earned a Master's Degree in Elementary Reading and Mathematics and taught middle school mathematics and served as a Secondary Instructional Coach at Ortega Middle School in Alamosa. In 2013, Cody took a position Consulting with WestEd as a District and School Improvement Facilitator, a job she held until 2019 when she became Assistant Superintendent at the Alamosa School District. She was named Interim Superintendent in 2020.

"Equity has become central in my work throughout the past 25 years in education," Cody said in her application for the local superintendent position. "My experience in teaching elementary and secondary, working in a variety of districts, and now leading a district has created a drive to provide opportunities for those who do not have voice or evident power. My goal is to develop a system where all students have access and opportunity to high quality learning experiences with caring adults, which propel them to be positive change agents within their communities. It is imperative that educators and students realize the efficacy they have to improve. My goal is to leverage strengths while building capacity to achieve the critical goal of equity."

Cody's contract, which is expected to be officially approved this week, begins July 1. Current Superintendent Darcy Garretson will stay on staff, part-time, until October to assist in the transition.

"I am looking forward to getting to know the students, staff, families and the people that make up the Haxtun community. I have been so impressed with the genuine kindness exhibited by every person I have met in Haxtun," said Cody. "I cannot wait to get settled and for my family to be part of the community. I have noticed that the people of Haxtun are willing to ask honest questions and share their perspectives in a very solution-oriented way. I appreciate that. I think when a group of people are willing to work together, like the Haxtun community is, a lot can be accomplished for young people and the community as a whole. Mrs. Garretson and the Board have done an excellent job leading the Haxtun School District. I am looking forward to learning from them and continuing to raise student achievement and opportunities. I appreciate that the community is willing to embrace my family and I am excited to be involved and connected with the community."