AURORA | The wife of the former Cherry Creek schools district superintendent was officially fired today from her job as human relations director for the district after being suspended in February amid controversy surrounding her husband and other school officials.
“In conjunction with Interim Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Perry, we the Board of Education have received the final investigative findings regarding Brenda Smith,” school board members said in a joint statement Friday. “Ms. Smith will not be offered a contract for the 2026-27 school year. Based on the personnel investigation, significant policy violations occurred. We will not be paying out any of the additional benefits as this is a for-cause termination.”
She has been paid her monthly salary of $21,572.67 since being suspended, and will receive that through June 30, according to school district officials.
The decision to fire Smith was made by Perry, who then informed the board of her decision, according to Cherry Creek Chief Communications Officer Abbe Smith, no relation.
The investigation was conducted by outside attorneys, officials said.
School officials would not provide details of the alleged policy violations, citing personnel matters and indicated information would be released only via a Colorado Open Records Act request.
Brenda Smith is the wife of Christopher Smith, the former Cherry Creek superintendent who resigned abruptly in January amid claims made by employees of a “toxic workplace” and allegations that he funneled school contracts to acquaintances.
The district leadership has been rocked by claims made against other top administrators, an internal investigation and, most recently, the forced resignation last month of a school board member accused of making racially offensive remarks.
The Cherry Creek School District Board of Education approved what they termed as policy reforms in February and an external audit following the sudden resignation of Christopher Smith and the placement of the district’s chief human resources officer, his wife, Brenda Smith, on administrative leave.
“This is a difficult and emotional moment for our district and our broader community,” Cherry Creek Board Director Angela Garland said in February. “The departure of Superintendent Chris Smith and the placement of our human resources director on lead has stirred a wide range of emotions. For some, there is relief, perhaps even a sense of vindication. For others, there is grief, confusion and a real sense of loss. I have had conversations with people on both sides, and I want to be clear, both experiences are real and both deserve to be acknowledged.”
Those reforms include tightening procurement and spending approval policies, requiring legal department review and approval of all contracts and establishing clearer guidelines for district travel for the remainder of the school year, according to a previous statement from district spokesperson Ashley Verville.
Smith unexpectedly resigned at the end of January, with the board accepting his resignation during an executive session. He announced his retirement the next day.
His resignation came amid media scrutiny stemming from a Denver 7 News investigation in which district employees described what they characterized as a toxic work environment. Sources for the 7 News report also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest because Smith and the district’s chief human resources officer are married.
District officials have said Smith’s resignation was unrelated to the television reports. Board members, however, said the scrutiny and changes that have followed since Christopher Smith’s departure are focused on the actions and performance of both of the Smiths.
“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,” Board President Anne Egan said earlier. “Immediate action was necessary to maintain the public’s confidence. We look forward to continuing to listen and engage the community as we uphold our promise of being ‘Dedicated to Excellence’.”
The board froze certain travel and new contracts and begun reviewing district policies related to nepotism and conflicts of interest.
It was unclear Friday whether any of those policy changes have been lifted.
Brenda Smith was placed on administrative leave effective Feb. 2, and the board announced the internal investigation, apparently completed this week.
One of the board’s newest members gave some details on what the investigations were looking for, saying he would ensure a vigorous and transparent probe, citing some of the allegations from media reports.
“I want to be very clear that as long as I am on this board, any allegations of misogyny discrimination, racial bias, discrimination and the improper use of funds, particularly those described as long standing or systemic, will be taken seriously and investigated,” Board Director JC Futrell said in February. “These issues are inexcusable. They are incompatible with public education, with ethical leadership and with the trust are community places they will not be tolerated moving forward and anyone participating in these acts, this is your notice.”
Interim Superintendent Jennifer Perry was a part of and involved with the probe, school officials said.
Smith was appointed superintendent in 2021 after more than a decade in the district, where he previously served as chief of staff and as an elementary school principal. Perry, who had been deputy superintendent, was named interim superintendent effective Feb. 2.
Board members have not since provided details of a search process for a permanent superintendent.
The school district was then rocked again three weeks ago when it forced out newly elected school board director Terry Bates amid allegations he had on more than one occasion made “racialized” remarks.
Neither Bates nor school officials described his comments.
“As elected leaders serving the Cherry Creek Schools community, we have a responsibility to respect the district’s values, uphold district policies, and act with the utmost professionalism,” school board members said in a statement April 27. “When a member’s actions fall short of board policy and those values, we must address it directly and stand for what is right. As a Board, we have zero tolerance for this type of behavior.”
School board members said only that Bates’ remarks were “inappropriate” and that school board members had proof he had made similar remarks before being elected last November.
Two days later, Bates posted comments on Facebook, addressing his resignation.
“I accept full responsibility for offending others by my comments, and I regret that my apology was not acknowledged in the board’s press release,” Bates said in the statement.
He said he called school board President Anne Egan the week before to discuss the controversy caused by his undetailed comments, but did not get a return call.
“In advance of the meeting, I prepared a written apology acknowledging that my words were inappropriate and expressing my desire to personally apologize and make things right,” Bates said. “During the meeting, I distributed my written apology to each Board Member. I asked whether my apology would be considered, and I was told it was “too late.” No one asked me a single question about what occurred.”
He said he realized then that there would be no opportunity to address the controversy.
“I believe in accountability, and I took that step. I also believe in fairness and due process, and I do not believe those principles were extended to me in this situation,” Bates said. “It’s important for the community to know that I made a sincere, good-faith effort to take responsibility and address the matter directly.”
Bates went on to take credit for recent board direction requiring new financial audits following controversy centered on Chris and Brenda Smith.
The school district is accepting applications for the District D vacancy through 4 p.m. May 26.
Applicants must complete an affidavit of qualifications for office and a board candidate applicant questions form. Both are available online or at the district’s Educational Services Center, 4610 S. Ulster St., Suite 1001.
Candidates also must submit typewritten responses to the applicant questions, a resume and the signed affidavit to the district’s Office of Legal Resources. Materials may be delivered in person or emailed to smckenzie3@cherrycreekschools.org by the deadline.
Interviews for qualified candidates are tentatively scheduled for June 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Applicants are expected to be available during that time, according to school officials.
The thing that bothers me is the language used. What the heck are “racialized” remarks. They are called inapropriate, or horrible, or ghastly! Racialized sanitizes his awful behavior! And why is the firing of a butthead and his wife eso “emotional” and “difficult.” If this was a teacher or a custodian, I doubt any mention would be in the paper, unless abuse of a student was a part of the firing. We as a society must stop sanitizing the language surrounding a dismisal ar the top. When you get fired or leave under duress, it’s embarrassing. Tough coconuts! When you are atop an organization too much weight is put on the position and the person holding it. If their behavior is horse manure, they should be summarily canned, just like workers at the bottom of the pyramid. And the reasons should be public, especially for those being paid over a quarter of $1MM per year! I’m exhausted at the inflated value a lot of people assign to individuals who occupy high positions and then mismanage them. Look no further than the Oval Office!