Gardner Selected As New Superintendent for Las Animas
- Anne Boswell Taylor
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Las Animas Schools are looking to hire a few folks for the upcoming school year, but no listing yet of a position for a new principal at the elementary school. The position will be vacant due to the school board's selection of Lana Gardner as the new district superintendent.
Since the school board's meeting minutes have not been updated since January 2026, and there is no social media post, we learned of this from our friends at the Bent County Democrat newspaper, who published the news on the front page of the paper this week.
State law requires school boards to post certain minutes within ten, (10) business days after approval.
Specifically applies to meetings with executive sessions (which hiring a superintendent almost certainly involves)
Law: C.R.S. § 22-32-108(5)(d)
However, there is a gray area that the district isn't required to post minutes that have not yet been approved. And, because of the Memorial Day holiday and Fridays NOT being a business day for schools, the board still has time to update the meeting minutes on their website to be in accordance with the above stated law.
Gardner has been the principal of the elementary school and has been a part of the district for more than 23 years. Gardner and Las Animas High School Principal Addie Wallace were on the short list for the job of superintendent. The two were interviewed publicly at a school board meeting in May that was live streamed for the public on YouTube. The board then moved to go into executive session for more conversation with the candidates.
We also found an upload of the May 26, 2026 meeting, which can be viewed here:
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