The ’ Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to appoint parent Keith Frazier to a vacant seat on the five-member board.
The new director replaces Terry Bates, who resigned in April after being accused of making racist remarks. He was one of five candidates considered by the school board for the position.
“We had a great set of applicants and we appreciate members of our community stepping forward to serve this district,” the board said in a statement. “Mr. Frazier’s interview was exceptional, and he demonstrated a strong commitment to this district. We are excited about welcoming Mr. Frazier as a colleague on the board.”
Frazier will be sworn in as a board member on June 8 and his term will run through November 2027.
He joins the school board at a tumultuous period for Cherry Creek Schools, which has experienced multiple leadership changes that began when former Superintendent Christopher Smith resigned in January.
District officials fired Smith’s wife, Brenda, the human resources director, last month after an outside investigation found multiple policy violations related to contracts and travel. Assistant Superintendent Tony Poole is also leaving the district after he was suspended in February for alleged insubordination.
Bates, who was elected in November, resigned after three people filed complaints, accusing the former board member of asking a group of people if they came to the United States from Mexico with the help of a “coyote,” according to documents obtained by The Denver Post.
District officials said they also received two verbal complaints from administrators regarding inappropriate sexual remarks allegedly made by Bates during an incident that happened before he was elected.
Separately, Chief Financial Officer Scott Smith accused Bates of “intimidation, bullying, and unethical behavior” and of planning to interfere with an external audit into the districtap systems and structures, including fiscal responsibilities.
Bates has denied all allegations made against him.
