SPECIAL TO THE HT
Meeker School District Superintendent Chris Selle has been selected for the sixth cohort of the Rural Superintendent Academy, a leadership development program operated by the Colorado Education Initiative with support from the Boettcher Foundation.
The 2026-27 cohort launched the week of July 20 and includes 20 school and district leaders from rural communities across Colorado. Participants come from districts including Meeker, Steamboat Springs, East Grand, Summit, Alamosa, Yuma, Woodland Park and others.
The group includes 12 current superintendents, five central office administrators interested in eventually leading rural districts and three principals developing system-level leadership skills. Selle is participating as superintendent of Meeker School District RE-1.
The academy focuses on leadership in areas including district governance, community relationships and operational capacity. Participants also work on strengthening relationships among students, families, school boards, staff and their broader communities, with an emphasis on long-term district sustainability.
With the addition of this year’s class, the Rural Superintendent Academy has reached 100 fellows. Fifty-three are currently serving as superintendents in Colorado, while others are preparing for future district leadership roles.
Two members of the new cohort, Tammie Mack of Hoehne School District RE-3 and Roxi Vigil of Alamosa School District, were also selected to receive 2026 Dr. Cile Chavez Fellowships. The fellowships are intended to encourage diverse and underrepresented education leaders to participate in the academy and include financial assistance to help cover participation costs.
