The district's Community Superintendents are part of the school leadership team and play a vital role in the success of our schools. They serve as a link between the schools, the community, and the district. In addition, they oversee school management. Jeffco Public Schools is divided into 17 areas providing assigned schools for each neighborhood served, as well as option and charter school choices.

Schools are supported by the Community Superintendents, who, in addition to the school staff, respond to parental concerns, monitor and evaluate school effectiveness, student achievement, and implementation of curriculum.

2021 School Leadership Organizational Chart

School Leadership Team
2021-22

DAN COHAN
CHIEF of SCHOOLs - SECONDARY

Dan has worked in education for over 30 years. During his tenure he has served as community superintendent, executive director, principal, assistant principal and math teacher at the middle and high school levels. As principal of Pomona High School, Dan led his staff in implementing a highly effective Professional Learning Community and Response to Intervention model. He believes deeply in Graduation with Choices for every student and works to develop strong principal and teacher leaders committed to this purpose.  Dan earned a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and teacher certification from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He earned a master's in administration, supervision, and curriculum development from the University of Colorado, Denver.

RENEE NICOTHODES
CHIEF of SCHOOLs - ELEMENTARY

Over the course of her 26-year career in education, Renee has served as elementary director of curriculum and instruction, principal supervisor, principal, instructional coach, and classroom teacher. Renee holds a Master of Arts in Education and a reading specialist credential from San Diego State University. Renee has a passion for working with at-risk student populations and advocating for equity and excellence in educational systems. 

Community Superintendents

SCOTT ALLENSWORTH

Scott has worked in public education for 25 years. Prior to joining the School Leadership Team, he was a school administrator for 13 years at both the high school and middle school levels. He enjoyed teaching before he went into school administration. Scott graduated from New Mexico State University with teaching credentials and has continued his education, earning a master's degree in instruction, then obtaining his administration licensure. Scott has a passion for making the best decisions for students so they succeed academically and socially. He supports his schools with a system perspective and encourages them to be innovators in education.

Scott oversees middle and high schools in the  Chatfield, Dakota Ridge, Golden, and Wheat Ridge articulation areas, as well as The Manning School.

brenda carlson

Brenda has worked in public education for 36 years in Colorado and Wyoming. Prior to joining the School Leadership Team, she was a community superintendent, a principal for 19 years, and a classroom teacher for 11 years. Brenda holds degrees from the University of Wyoming and the University of Southern Mississippi. She believes success is not accidental. She is a proven, motivated, energetic, and experienced leader. Her goal is to always find the heart of the hero in the educators she works with to ensure principals, teachers, and students are challenged every day to be the best they can be.

Brenda oversees elementary schools in the Golden and Wheat Ridge articulation areas, as well as Miller Special School.

lee cooper

Lee is starting his 24th year in education and 2nd as a member of the Jeffco team.  He has worked as a Community/Instructional Superintendent for the past six years.  He has a Masters  in Education with an emphasis in Global Education from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Marketing.  Lee has served as a school leader in Title I, K-8, Montessori, and traditional settings.  Lee is passionate about equity, opportunity and high levels of success for all students.  


Lee oversees elementary schools in the Arvada West, Lakewood and Dakota Ridge articulation areas.

WENDY DORAN

Wendy has worked in education for over 20 years. Prior to joining the School Leadership Team, she served as the Principal of Carmody Middle School for 5 years and as a High School Principal in Aurora Public schools for 3 years. Wendy served in multiple roles throughout her career including, an Education Consultant, Teacher, Instructional Coach and Principal in both neighborhood and alternative schools. This experience has sparked a great passion in Wendy for innovative schools, equity and systems that serve all families. Wendy is a proud graduate of Jeffco Public Schools, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, A Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and earned her Principal Licensure and is the process of earning her Ed.S from University of Colorado, Denver.

Wendy oversees Foster Dual Language PK-8, Arvada K-8, Arvada HS, Pomona HS, Moore Middle, and North Arvada Middle.

BETH ELMGREEN

Beth has worked in education for over 20 years. Prior to joining the School Leadership Team, Beth was the principal at Bergen Valley Elementary School. Beth has been a classroom teacher, special education instructor, and an instructional coach. 

Beth oversees elementary schools in the Ralston Valley and Standley Lake articulation areas, as well as Fairmount Elementary and Vanderhoof Elementary.

todd engels

Todd has worked in public education for 28 years. Prior to his current role, he has served as an executive director, high school principal, assistant principal (middle & high) and classroom teacher. Todd is a graduate of Arvada High School, earning a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado, a Master’s degree from the University of Phoenix and completed an executive leadership program from the University of Colorado. Todd believes that quality leadership at all levels is one of the key components to students experiencing a great education and graduating with choices.

Todd oversees middle and high schools in the Bear Creek, Columbine, Conifer, and Evergreen articulation areas, as well as the Jefferson County Open School.

ERIC EVERDING

Eric has worked in education for 23 years. Prior to joining the school leadership team, Eric was a principal, assistant principal, counselor, and English teacher in our district. He has also worked in Jeffco’s assessment department and in the community superintendents’ office as an executive director of school management. Eric is a proud graduate of Jeffco Public Schools, having attended Allendale Elementary, Drake Middle, and Arvada West High. He comes from a family of educators and is strong advocate for the students in our public school system.

Eric oversees middle and high schools in the  Arvada West, Green Mountain, Lakewood, Ralston Valley, and Standley Lake articulation areas.

SAMANTHA HOLLMAN

Samantha Hollman has served school communities for the past 22 years, most recently as Principal at Mitchell Elementary in Golden for the last 9 years. She enjoyed working as an Instructional Coach and teaching prior to becoming a school administrator. Samantha is a graduate of Bear Creek HS and Regis University with a degree in Sociology and minor in Elementary Education. She continued her education at Lesley University earning a Master’s in Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and then completed the Administrative Leadership and Policies Studies program at the University of Colorado-Denver. Samantha is focused on developing growth for equity and achievement, enhancing collaboration, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement. Three of Samantha's four kids have graduated from Jeffco Schools with one currently attending a neighborhood high school.

Samantha oversees elementary and K-8 schools in the Bear Creek and Chatfield articulation areas.

Tom mcmillen

Tom McMillen is Community Superintendent for Charter Schools in Jefferson County, Colorado, a position he has held since July of 2018. Prior to joining Jeffco, Tom was Director of Choice Programming in Douglas County, Colorado, working with charters, open enrollment, and truancy for the district. 

Before joining Douglas County, Tom was Director of Quality Assurance at the Colorado Charter School Institute.
Tom graduated from the University of Denver College of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree and from Colorado State University 
with a BA. Tom lives in Lakewood, CO with his wife Peg. Tom and Peg have four grown children, all of whom attended Jeffco charter and neighborhood schools.

aMANDA PIERORAZIO

Amanda has worked for Jefferson County Public Schools for 15 years. Prior to joining the School Leadership Team, she served as the principal of Coronado Elementary for five years and Weber Elementary for 1 year. She was also an assistant principal at Chatfield Senior High, Powderhorn Elementary and Summit Ridge Middle School. Amanda taught Spanish and French at Chatfield for six years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with minors in French and educational computing from Iowa State University and also holds a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Colorado Christian University and principal licensure from the University of Colorado-Denver. Amanda is a servant leader who believes in the value of relationships and positive partnerships in order to support all students in achieving success. 

Amanda oversees elementary schools in the Columbine, Conifer, Evergreen and Green Mountain articulation areas as well as Dennison Elementary

CELESTE SULTZE

Celeste has worked in education for over 20 years. Prior to joining the School Leadership Team, Celeste was principal at Edgewater Elementary and an assistant principal at the high school and middle school levels. She is passionate about providing the best educational experiences for ALL students.

Celeste oversees elementary schools in the Arvada and Pomona articulation areas.

MATT WALSH

David weiss

David has worked in public education for 19 years. Prior to joining the School Leadership Team, he served as the principal of Westgate Elementary school for five years, and as a high school assistant principal for 4 years before that. David also taught middle school math and science for 8 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Youngstown State University and also holds a Masters of Business Administration and a Specialist License in School Leadership from the University of Denver. David is a learner who is passionate about innovation, equity and opportunity for all students who walk our hallways.

David oversees the schools in the Alameda and Jefferson articulation areas.