Peppard chosen as new West Grand superintendent

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photo by Kim Cameron Darrin Peppard is finalizing negotiations with West Grand’s Board of Education for his superintendent contract.
photo by Kim Cameron
Darrin Peppard is finalizing negotiations with West Grand’s Board of Education for his superintendent contract.

The West Grand Board of Education (WGBOE) is currently negotiating a superintendent contract with Dr. Darrin Peppard, the current principal of Rock Springs High School in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

On Friday May 12, the WGBOE conducted a day of interviews, a community Meet & Greet, and an evaluation of the merits of each candidate (Peppard and Linda K. Miller of Colorado Springs).  After an executive session that lasted nearly two hours the WGBOE unanimously voted to offer Peppard the position.

This will be the first superintendent position for Peppard whose enrollment at Rock Springs High School was over 1300 students and 150 staff members.  The population of Rock Springs High School was diverse with many cultures as well as a free and reduced lunch population nearing 35%.  West Grand currently has an English Learner population of nearly 19% and a free and reduced lunch population that hovers near 50%.

In Peppard’s role as principal, he is credited with increasing high school graduation rates at his school and enriching academics with advanced placement (AP) classes and dual credit class opportunities for all students.  Under his leadership, the Rock Springs High School was named to the AP Honor Roll twice, the only school in Wyoming to be honored more than once on the list.  Peppard is also credited with leading the development and implementation of nationally recognized Career Academies, programs which connect students’ future vocational interests with high school curriculum.

Peppard was also named Wyoming’s Secondary School Principal of the Year in 2016 after being nominated by another principal in the state.  Peppard recently earned his Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Wyoming on Saturday, May 13.

“That was an exciting 24 hours. I interviewed in Kremmling, was offered the position, and graduated from college for the third time,” says Peppard.

Peppard was joined by his wife, Jessica, and daughter, Liz, in Laramie for the commencement ceremony.  Peppard says his wife and daughter, may not join him immediately in Kremmling as Liz finishes her senior year in high school with a hefty scholarship opportunity, but they do plan on spending time together in Kremmling and enjoying favorite past times such as “jeeping” and golfing in the Grand County area.

The WGBOE is expected to finalize the contract in the near future.