Denver Public Schools has selected Alex Marrero, interim superintendent of the City School District of New Rochelle in New York, to succeed Susana Cordova as leader of Colorado’s largest school district.
The district made the announcement Wednesday morning at a news conference at South High School. Marrero’s hiring must be approved by a vote for the school board on June 3.
Marrero was selected over two other finalists: Andre Wright, the chief academic officer at Aurora Public Schools, and Stephanie Soliven, assistant superintendent of secondary leading and learning at Brevard Public Schools in Florida.
The district’s interim superintendent — Dwight Jones, in place since Cordova’s departure in December — did not apply for the position.
Marrero, a native of the Bronx, previously served as assistant superintendent of the East Ramapo Central School District in New York. He described himself in a recorded video provided by DPS earlier this month as a “living testament that parents and guardians are partners in the pursuit of equity and excellence.”
As superintendent, Marrero said in the video that he hopes to evolve with the times, open communication with the community, and commit to education that addresses the whole child.
“I’m looking forward to less internal competition and more eternal collaboration from Denver,” Marrero said.
Cordova resigned in November after a contentious two years in the job and moved to the Dallas Independent School District in January as a deputy superintendent.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
