AURORA | Dr. Lisa Escárcega, the current chief accountability and research officer for Aurora Public Schools and a key player in APS’ ongoing restructuring efforts, will be leaving the district this summer.
The Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE) last week tapped Escárcega to become the organization’s new executive director. CASE, which serves as a professional coalition of public school administrators across the state, formally announced Escárcega’s appointment on Friday, March 11.
“Being selected as the next executive director is such an honor, and so humbling,” Escárcega said in a statement. “The work that CASE does makes a positive difference for school administrators, and I can speak to that value firsthand as a member myself. I’m eager to be a part of the association’s continued success and to help build on its tradition of excellence.”
An active CASE member for more than a decade, Escárcega served as president of the organization’s coordinating council from 2013-14 and previously headed the CASE department that represents education specialists.
Escárcega will replace CASE’s current executive director, Bruce Caughey, who announced his intent to retire last fall. Since then, a hiring committee has been interviewing candidates from across the country to fill the position.
“Lisa impressed all of us with her extensive education background and expertise, as well as the respect she commands from colleagues in both her own and other districts,” executive committee members Mitch Forsberg, Diane Doney and Diana Sirko, said in a statement. “Her grasp of policy and legislative issues is particularly notable, and her ability to navigate the larger political environment will be very beneficial to CASE members.”
Escárcega, who has worked in her current role at APS since 2007, started her education career as a school psychologist. In recent years, she has played a central role in APS’ ongoing push to turnaround a cluster of troubled schools in northwest Aurora.
“Lisa is someone who not only isn’t afraid to tackle tough challenges but she has a proven history of successfully producing positive outcomes that directly benefit students and our education system,” said Dr. Harry Bull, superintendent of the neighboring Cherry Creek School District. “She’s an outstanding leader skilled at bringing people together around a common purpose.”
Escárcega will assume her new duties with CASE in July.