Eaglecrest High School is preparing for a major leadership transition. Principal Gwen Hansen-Vigil has announced her retirement at the end of the school year, opening the process to select the school’s next principal. In doing so, it has ignited growing concern from staff and community members over a perceived lack of transparency in district decision-making.

On January 16, Eaglecrest department coordinators sent a formal letter to the Cherry Creek School District Board of Education calling for a “full, fair, authentic, inclusive, and transparent process” in hiring the next principal. The letter emphasizes that Eaglecrest’s staff has intentionally built a strong and proud school through open leadership and warns that a non-transparent or misaligned leadership decision could undermine that foundation, erode trust, lower morale, and threaten the school’s long-term stability.

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Community response has been swift. A public petition calling for a transparent hiring process has gained over 1,300 signatures. (Sign here)

This follows a concerning pattern of limited transparency in district leadership. Previous reporting has accused intimidation, retaliation, and conflicts of interest at the highest administrative levels, as well as a repeated unwillingness to engage with media questioning. Superintendent Christopher Smith has previously walked away from questioning by Denver7, and when our editorial team requested an interview to address district leadership concerns, the request went unanswered by Superintendent Smith. Public Information Officer Lauren Snell replied about a week later on his behalf, stating, “If you have any specific questions for your story, please reach out to me,” without addressing our request for an interview. The superintendent has yet to engage directly with public or student media inquiries regarding these concerns.

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With nearly 53,000 students in this district, transparent and ethical leadership is not optional. When those responsible for shaping young minds operate without openness, it raises a simple question: If there is nothing to hide, why not be transparent?

More updates will be posted soon.