Executive Director of Schools
John Gutierrez
East Highlands Ranch Region
Highlands Ranch and Rock Canyon High School Feeders
[email protected] | 303.387.9640
John Gutierrez serves as the Executive Director of Schools (EDOS) for the East Highlands Ranch region. He has been an educator for 31 years, most recently serving for 17 years as the principal of Cougar Run Elementary. Prior to being a principal, he served as a teacher, baseball coach, Dean, and Assistant Principal. John was named DCSD Administrator of the Year at the 2021 Apple Awards. He is a proud Douglas County resident and parent.
Erin McDonald
Castle Rock Region
Castle View and Douglas County High School Feeders
[email protected] | 303.387.9655
Erin McDonald serves as the Executive Director of Schools for the Castle Rock region. She has been an educator for 20 years, most recently serving for six years as the principal of South Ridge Elementary. During her career, Erin has also worked as a teacher, special education teacher and vice principal. Erin received a Bachelor of Science in Special Education – Learning Disabilities, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Winona State in 2002. In 2005 she completed her Master’s in Education Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio and is about to complete her Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Kristin Drury
Parker Region
Chaparral, Legend, and Ponderosa Feeders
[email protected] | 303-387-9691
Kristin Drury has been an educator in Douglas County for almost 30 years serving as a Principal, Dean, Professional Development Coordinator, Professional Learning Specialist, and classroom teacher. Kristin has an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on science from the University of Colorado and has an Endorsement in Educational Leadership. As a Parker resident for more than two decades, she looks forward to continuing to invest in the Parker community.
Ian Wells
West Highlands Ranch Region
Mountain Vista and ThunderRidge High School Feeders
[email protected] | 303.387.9640
Ian Wells serves as the Executive Director of Schools (EDOS) for the West Highlands Ranch Region and for DCSD’s Alternative Education programs. He has been an educator for nearly 30 years. Prior to becoming an EDOS, Ian has held the roles of Director of Elementary Education, Director of Continuous Improvement of Teacher Effectiveness, Principal, Assistant Principal, Activities Director, English Teacher and Coach. Ian has a Colorado Principals License, a Masters of Professional Writing, and an Educational Specialist Degree.
Dan McMinimee
Pathways, Choice, and Alternative Education
[email protected]| 303.387.9690
Dan McMinimee has an extensive background in school and district administration. Most recently Dan was Superintendent for the New America School - Colorado Charter Network. He was formerly the Superintendent of Schools in Jefferson County, CO. He served as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education and the Director of High School Education, in addition to other administrative roles in Douglas County School District. He served as founding principal for DCSD's Rock Canyon High School and principal of Sprague High School in Salem-Keizer School District in Oregon. Dan taught in Cherry Creek Schools, Boulder Valley Schools, Beaverton Public Schools (OR), Silverton Union School District (OR), Salem-Keizer School District (OR), and at Adams State College (CO). Dan graduated from Adams State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education, K-12. He continued his career as a Graduate Assistant Football Coach at Adams State College and Oregon State University, where he received a Master of Arts degree in Education with a Minor in Human
Performance in May 1991.