Ellis Elementary

Ellis Elementary

Principal Selection Process Update
 
 
Logo of the Denver Public School's Schools department

December 11, 2025

Dear Ellis Elementary School Community, 

Thank you for your continued partnership in the Ellis Elementary School principal selection process. After completing a rigorous screening and interview process with our district and our Collaborative School Community (CSC) panel, we are pleased to share that we have two final candidates who will proceed to the next steps in the hiring process.  

  • Anthony Muñiz
  • Matthew Lunger

We will proceed with the following upcoming events on Friday, December 12th, to allow for additional opportunities for the community to hear from our final candidates:  

  • Instructional Learning Walk: Our final candidates will spend the morning completing a performance assessment with our team. Additionally, we will set aside time during the day for staff to drop in and ask the final candidates questions about their future candidacy for the school.  
  • Community Forum: Following afternoon dismissal, we will hold an in-person forum in the auditorium starting at 2:40 PM. Our final candidates will spend approximately 30 minutes formally introducing themselves and sharing a summary of their interests and vision for the school. During that time, a moderator will ask the candidate a variety of questions from the community's initial survey. Due to time constraints, our final candidates will be asked approximately 7-10 questions.  
  • Meet-and-Greet Event: Following the community forum, candidates will meet with students, staff, families, and visitors for an informal meet-and-greet. Candidates will be available to connect with the school community and answer additional questions related to their future candidacy.

We highly value the voices of our entire school community. To honor this, we would like to invite students, staff, families, and community members to submit their feedback on the final candidates’ strengths and considerations to inform the superintendent's final hiring decision. Please share your feedback on the strengths and considerations for each final candidate, in light of the school's needs. You may also email your feedback responses to brittany_barela@dpsk12.net. Please complete all feedback by Tuesday, December 16, 2025.

Community Feedback Survey (English/Spanish): Google Form (https://forms.gle/ymWTCZEtsnStRahi6)

Feedback will be compiled and shared with the superintendent to inform the final principal selection. Final candidates will participate in an interview with Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero, Deputy Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tony Smith, and other members of our district leadership team as the final step in the selection process.  

Thank you for your continuous engagement in this selection process! 

Sincerely,

Liz TenCate Director, Elementary Network 7
Yolanda Ortega Operational Services Director