Cherry Creek Schools’ freeze on travel, contracts tied to ‘decisions and actions’ of former superintendent and his wife

Christopher Smith (Photo courtesy Cherry Creek Schools) The president of Cherry Creek Schools’ Board of Education acknowledged Monday that the district’s freeze on employee travel and contracts is related to the “decisions and actions” of former Superintendent Christopher and his wife, Brenda Smith, the district’s chief human resources officer. Board President Anne Egan also announced that interim Superintendent Jennifer Perry will launch an external audit to review the district’s organizational systems, including internal controls and fiscal responsibilities. “The decision to review district policies and freeze certain travel and contracts is a result of concerns being raised about the decisions and actions of former Superintendent Smith and Brenda Smith,” Egan said in a statement. “Immediate action was necessary to maintain the public’s confidence.” Her comments came ahead of a scheduled Monday evening school board meeting at Sky Vista Middle School, where directors were expected to vote on what Egan called “reforms” to Cherry Creek Schools’ procurement and expenditure approval policies, contracts and guidelines related to employee travel. The school board was also expected to vote Monday to confirm Perry as Cherry Creek Schools’ interim superintendent. Cherry Creek Schools Chief Human Resources Officer Brenda Smith (Photo courtesy Cherry Creek Schools) Former Superintendent Christopher Smith unexpectedly resigned during a school board meeting on Jan. 27. District officials placed Brenda Smith on administrative leave last week and launched an internal investigation into her actions, as well as into nepotism and conflicts of interest at the district. The Board of Education also froze employee travel…

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