Our Team
Board of Directors
Region 1: Northern
Ben Bauman
Superintendent
Weldon Valley School District
970-645-2411
Email
Region 2: Eastern Plains
Dan Melendrez
Superintendent
Genoa Hugo School District
719-743-2428
Email
Region 3: Pikes Peak
Mike Schmidt
Superintendent
Platte Canyon School District
719-743-2428
Email
Region 4: San Luis Valley
Region 5: Southern
Region 6: Southwest
Region 7: Western Central
Region 8: Northwest
Kirk Henwood
Superintendent
South Routt School District
970-370-8799
Email
BOCES Liason
Leon Hanhardt
Executive Director
Colorado River BOCES
Email
At Large
Larry Lyder
Superintendent
Swink School District
719-384-8103
Email
At Large
Bree Jones
Superintendent
La Veta School District RE-2
719-742-6417
Email
Staff
Frank Reeves
Director of Operations and Strategic Partnerships
Frank Reeves joined the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance in 2022 as the Director of Operations and Strategic Partnerships and most recently served as the Interim Executive Director. Frank is a long-time rural educator and has served as a teacher, principal and superintendent in several rural and small rural districts throughout the State. Frank’s years of experience in rural systems and statewide advocacy allows him to speak directly to the impact of state level policies on rural systems. Frank has built strong partnerships with our K-12 partners and his in-depth understanding of school finance strengthens our work at the Capitol and beyond.
Denille LePlatt
Executive Director
As the Executive Director of the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, Denille LePlatt brings over twenty years of experience in public education to the organization. Having served as a rural teacher, principal, superintendent, BOCES Executive Director, and state-level leader, she is uniquely qualified to provide leadership and expertise to the CRSA’s work at the Capitol and across the state. Denille’s strengths lie in action-focused leadership producing measurable outcomes. A lifelong rural Colorado resident, she is a passionate advocate for small systems.
Legislative Policy Committee
Kate Bartlett
Lake County School District
719-293-0104
Email
Ed Anderson
Hayden School District
970-276-3864
Email
Kermit Snyder
Rocky Ford School District
719-469-7423
Email
Lisa Yates
Buena Vista School District
719-239-0435
Email
Chris Selle
Meeker School District
970-366-0518
Email
Kirk Henwood
South Routt School District
970-270-5687
Email
Diana Jones
Alamosa School District
719-587-1600
Email
Larry Lyder
Swink School District
719-384-8103
Email