The Moffat County School District Board of EducationMoffat County School District Board of Education voted unanimously to offer Morris Ververs the position of “independent contract consultant to aid in the district’s leadership transition.” voted unanimously to offer Morris Ververs the position of “independent contract consultant to aid in the district’s leadership transition.”

Moffat County School District Board of Education voted unanimously to offer Morris Ververs the position of “independent contract consultant to aid in the district’s leadership transition.”

The language enables the district to enter into an agreement with Ververs without the usual 14-day waiting period that must be taken after announcing finalists that applies to hiring superintendents, board members explained.

The board plans to make the offer Friday with an expectation that Ververs will decide within 48 hours.

Ververs, from Simla, Colorado, served for 10 years as superintendent of Klawock City School District in Alaska. He has also worked multiple times in the capacity of an interim superintendent, and he has a doctorate in education. He was recommended to the district by the Colorado Association of School Boards.

The decision came after board members announced that Joel Sheridan, who was also under consideration, has withdrawn his application.

“Joel has asked that his name be withdrawn as an interim,” announced Board President Darrell Camilletti, who said he talked with Sheridan on Wednesday.

Board member Jo Ann Baxter also said she talked to Sheridan, who lives in Craig and has extensive experience working in the school district, and reported that “he thought somebody from the outside could do that in a more objective fashion.”

Last month the board voted 5 to 2 on Thursday to release Superintendent Brent Curtice from his remaining contract responsibilities, beginning April 15. Curtice had resigned earlier this school year to take the superintendent’s position at Garfield School District No. Re. 2. His contract, after his resignation, was to run through June 30.

Board members Baxter and board member Tony Peroulis voted against the motion.

Board members interviewed Ververs over the phone during a meeting on Thursday, exchanging comments about the budget and also relations between the school board and the administration. Board members also noted that the district’s executive director of finance and operations, Tinneal Gerber, would be on leave starting in the middle of next week.

After the meeting Gerber said she was taking medical leave and estimated she would be out for about four weeks.

During discussion after the meeting, board member Charity Neal noted that Ververs’ “specialized skill set” in the capacity of an interim superintendent.

“We don’t have the time to waste,” Peroulis added.

During the interview Ververs stressed, among other things, the importance keeping the education of the students in the forefront of discussions. He also noted the importance of strong relations between the superintendent and the board — even when problems arise.

“If you’ve got that good relationship with the superintendent, you can deal with those problems,” he said.

Camilletti estimated that the cost to the district would be about $25,000 to $26,000.