Interim Superintendent search

The Platte Canyon School District BOE will be making its final interim Superintendent decision on June 18, 2018, via special meeting.

To view the video recording of the Interim Superintendent public forum

If you have not provided the BOE with feedback please contact the Board via email

These are the finalists:

John J. Marchino Jr.

I am excited to be a finalist for the Interim Superintendent position.

I have 29 years of experience in the field of education and 20 years of school administrative experience at all levels, PK-12. This experience includes: middle school assistant principal (5yrs), high school assistant principal (6yrs), elementary school principal (6yrs) and K-8 principal (2yrs). I also have one year of experience working part-time in the Durango Central Office working with the District Health and Wellness program while also serving as a principal for the homeschool/shared school program. I have served at the state level as the Region 4 Director of the Colorado Association of Elementary School Principals (CAESP). In 2014, I was elected to serve as the President of the CAESP Board.

Serving in a superintendent position of a small, rural Colorado community has been my long-term goal. I grew up in Northern Illinois, moved to Colorado in 1979 and graduated High School in Longmont, Colorado where my mother still lives. I taught in South Texas and in Colorado before becoming a school administrator in 1998. I believe in the public education system and that every child can learn and that we as educators need to provide the opportunities to meet and exceed their expectations. I believe in coaching up and training teachers, staff, and principals so that they may attain the skills they need to meet our students varied learning and emotional needs. My job as a district leader is to do what is best for our students. This includes providing opportunities for our principals and teachers to take risks and be innovative, as they create engaging learning opportunities for our students. I am most proud of the achievement my schools have made over the years. In 2013 and 2014 my school received the Governors Distinguished Improvement Award.

I have been married to my lovely wife for the past 11 years and we have two adult children. I enjoy the outdoors and being physically active. I’m an avid bicyclist, skier, golfer, and the occasional runner. I love living in the mountains of Colorado and I wish to continue my educational career in a mountain community.

Karen Quanbeck

I am thrilled to be a finalist for the Superintendent position in Platte Canyon School District! PCSD offers the gift of a small community with exceptional educational opportunities for students. A dedicated community with a common vision around student success can do incredible things for kids.

I graduated from Carleton College in Minnesota with a degree in Economics, and not long after discovered the joys of working in public education. I began my career in education as a high school teacher in Minnesota, teaching social studies while coaching track and cross country. Additionally, during this first year of teaching I pursued a master’s degree in Learning Technology and Curriculum Development. Following a move to Colorado, I taught middle school for six years, then moved into administration at the middle level. I served as assistant principal and principal at Mandalay Middle School in Jefferson County. Middle school students are truly unique and inspiring to teach: they vacillate between demanding independence and craving structure, while embracing a crazy sense of adventure and joy. Wanting a new challenge, I decided to make a move to the elementary level. At the same time my husband and I decided to raise our children in the mountains. This prompted a move to Ralston Elementary in Genesee where I served as principal and embraced a small, dedicated community focused on students and families.

Currently I’m Jeffco’s Chief of Schools for Elementary; prior to the Chief role, I served as an Achievement Director. Both roles have afforded me the opportunity to supervise and support diverse schools and leaders, deepen my knowledge of best instructional practices, and solidify my belief in the importance of providing engaging, authentic learning experiences for all students. I am blessed with two children of my own, a middle school son and a high school daughter. Trail runs and walks with my dogs (an older chocolate lab and younger Australian shepherd) keep me balanced. My husband is an avid mountain biker who grew up on a ranch in South Dakota. Every decision I make is filtered through the lens of being a parent as well as an educator. I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity each day to make a positive difference for students, staff, and families.

Mike Schmidt

Mike Schmidt has enjoyed serving Platte Canyon School District families for the past 19 years in his roles as high school principal, assistant principal, teacher, and coach. Prior to working and living in Bailey, Mike was a teacher/coach at Newbury High School (Newbury, OH), Coachella Valley High School (Thermal, CA), Occidental College (Los Angeles, CA), and Eagle Rock High School (Los Angeles, CA).

Mike has served Colorado student-athletes as a director on the board of the Colorado High School Activities Association (4 years), chairman of the CHSAA classification subcommittee, and as a current member of the CHSAA football committee. He also serves as a director on the board of Channelmom Media, a non-profit organization dedicated to coaching and encouraging mothers and families.

Mike lives in Bailey with his wife Jenny and their two children Otis (PCHS graduate - Class of 2017) and Georgia (current student at PCHS - Class of 2021).