Dear Westminster Public Schools Community,

As we begin planning for the upcoming school year, I am pleased to share some exciting leadership updates about four of our schools. This edition of What’s Up WPS details our promotion to the position of principal for Kodi Kelly (Sherrelwood Elementary), Doug Kurzawski, (Mesa Elementary) and Stephanie Fick (Fairview PK-8). We also have a video profile of Maureen Bangsund who, as we told you earlier this spring, is our new principal at Westminster High School.

What makes these appointments particularly meaningful is that each one of these leaders has been promoted from within our district. As experienced assistant principals in Westminster Public Schools, they represent the best of our own community and reflect our strong commitment to growing our own leaders.

This approach is intentional and deeply rooted in our values. We believe that the best school leaders are those who have a deep understanding of our students, families, and our Competency Based System (CBS)—a system focused on personalized learning, mastery of content, and meeting students where they are academically. Our CBS model is central to everything we do, and it is critical that our principals embrace and exemplify it.

These leaders were selected through a rigorous interview process that considered multiple qualified candidates. Their success in their current roles, their passion for student growth, and their dedication to CBS made them the clear choice to take the helm at their respective schools.

Sherrelwood Principal, Cindy Davis, and Mesa Elementary Principal, Janelle Stastny, informed me and district leadership last year of their plans to retire at the end of this year and I am grateful to them for their work on behalf of our children. I so appreciate their decision to give us a “heads up” so that we could prepare for a smooth transition. As you may have heard, Fairview Principal, Lisa Cyr, is taking on the important role of Head of Transportation and Westy Principal, Kiffany Kiewiet, will now be working in the WPS Human Resources Department. 

These appointments reflect not just a change in leadership—but a continuation of our shared vision for excellence, innovation, professional growth, and student success. We are confident these individuals will lead with integrity, collaboration, and a deep understanding of what makes Westminster Public Schools unique.

Warm regards,

Dr. Jeni Gotto
Superintendent of Schools
Westminster Public Schools