On December 27th, 2024, Dr. Lisa Roberts, along with Eaglecrest Principal Gwen Hansen-Vigil, wrote a 9 page letter to Cherry Creek School District Board of Education Members. The letter included a detailed description of how Chris and Brenda Smith are not “here for Cherry Creek and our students”.

The letter went into depth about multiple issues prevalent under Smith’s leadership- Chris Smith showing “erratic absentee, angry, and retaliatory [practices]… that has manifested into a culture in fear and inaction in Administrative Council (AdCo) where the general feeling is ‘keep your head down, do your job quietly, and protect your school,’” according to the letter. It goes on to say they are “not Cherry Creek”.

The nine pages were broken up into 5 main sections that address the problems under Chris Smith: Culture, Academic Achievement, Mismanagement of Leadership Team and District Resources, Relationships, and Retaliatory Practices. A summary of the main concerns are listed below. 

Culture:

-Claims of angry Chris Smith’s outburst that are sometimes “laced with profanity” during AdCo meetings and other leadership gatherings.

-Allegations that Smith made statements perceived as threatening or dismissive toward district employees.

-A reported atmosphere in which administrators feel pressured to “keep your head down” rather than raise concerns.

-Claims that dissenting viewpoints are not welcomed, an example being during evaluation training in July of 2024, when Chris Smith is alleged to say “if you aren’t with us, you’re against us” and that people need to “be on the bus” and if they are “not on the bus, we will get you off the bus. We did that to a DLT member last year.”

-Accusations that Smith cancels meetings or comes unprepared, shifts expectations abruptly, and provides inconsistent direction.

Academic Achievement:

-Allegations that district academic goals and strategic plans are unclear, inconsistent, or change abruptly. District goals used to help direct schools are not released until December instead of August (in the past 2 years), “far too late to implement in [the] current school year.”

-Claims that school leaders are not meaningfully involved in curriculum implementation decisions.

-Concerns that district data is not being used consistently or effectively to drive instructional improvement.

-Allegations that Colorado’s school performance framework (SPF) results were downplayed rather than addressed directly, they were downplayed. The letter states “[Chris Smith] said we would no longer be addressing or highlighting it. Instead, we will celebrate the achievements we (he) thinks we should.”

-Claims that instructional priorities lack coherence,long-term direction, and data driven decisions. 

-Calls “emergency meetings” unrelated to district wide priorities, disrupting the work day and other important 

Mismanagement of Leadership Team and District Resources:

-Despite the increased pupil funding (the amount of money allocated by states or school districts for each student enrolled in a public school), teacher student ratios allegedly appear to remain the same. Instead, district leadership positions have increased that “have not proven to increase achievement or otherwise meet student needs in measurable ways.”

-Further concerns about financial decisions, including diversion of funds connected to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office of $380,000 of taxpayer funds. This occurred two times over the past two years under Chris Smith. The Board approved payment to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, not the Foundation. 

-Restructuring of AdCo meeting schedules in ways that allegedly reduce accessibility and collaboration.

-Claims that district leaders are allowed to work remotely on days schools are in session, raising questions about visibility and engagement.

-Allegations that Smith frequently cancels meetings and schedules them far into the future or is  simply unavailable. Chris Smith has missed various meetings, including for the School Board or District Accountability (DAC) because he was “not ready.”

-Frustration among district staff surrounding problematic systems (Oracle and Caba). When these problems are brought up to district leadership, they are claimed to be shut down. 

Relationships:

-Alleged new standards set for teachers with no warning/short notice. 

-Allegations that communication is unclear, inconsistent, or reactive.

Retaliatory Practices:

–Allegations that administrators who raise concerns face professional consequences. “Offices of Human Resources must be held to the highest standard of confidentiality and professionalism. This is not the case under Mrs. Smith’s leadership. The Human Resource Department operates with the intent that people are guilty even prior to an investigation. They refer to the conference room in their office as “They Cry Room” because that’s where employers are told they are being put on leave,” according to the letter. 

-Allegations that individuals were discouraged from speaking to board members, or being “told what to say” to them.

-Specific references to the departure or leave of district leaders, including the Director of Mental Health.

While Chris Smith’s resignation as Superintendent was a necessary action, transparency with our community as to why this occurred is important. A copy of the letter can be found below. 

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