BOISE — The Boise School District Board of Trustees Thursday approved the appointment of current Deputy Superintendent Coby Dennis to serve as Superintendent of the Boise School District, effective July 1 of next year.
The announcement comes after current Superintendent Dr. Don Coberly announced his retirement at the end of the 2018-19 school year.
Board members said the selection of Dennis will allow for "a smooth transition of leadership" at a time when academic performance and instruction in the District is strong, according to District spokesman Dan Hollar.
"Things are going very well in the District," said Board President Nancy Gregory. "And Mr. Dennis has played an instrumental role in that success. He has served for the last five years under the leadership of Superintendent Coberly, and we are confident Mr. Dennis will be able to build on the solid foundation of success that is currently in place. Mr. Dennis is an experienced and well-respected educator."
Dennis has worked in the Boise School District since 1991. During that time, he has led a number of efforts to improve instruction, overall academic achievement, and school facilities. he has served as Deputy Superintendent, Area Director (at Timberline High and Capital High), junior high principal (at Les Bois), assistant principal (at Capital, Borah, and North) and secondary teacher (at Borah and North).
He led the District's efforts to create a Facilities Master Plan that culminated in the successful passage of a bond election in 2017 (86% "Yes" votes) that today is providing facility improvements to all District schools. "He has also helped support and coordinate the District's implementation of Community Schools, Common Core State Standards to support learning in the classroom, Strategic Planning, Budgeting, Legislation and Rule Making Advocacy, District Outreach (external and internal communication), Facility Improvements, and Policy Development.," Hollar said.
Dennis graduated from Borah High School. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Math, a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Idaho, and an Educational Specialist Degree from the University of Idaho.
"He has the successful experience to move this District forward and he is committed to the District's Strategic Plan Vision of graduating each student prepared for success in college, career and in life. I look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Dennis in the next few months to ensure that the succession from one superintendent to another is seamless, smooth and most of all, effective for our students and community we serve," Coberly said.
"I am dedicated to building on the solid foundation of success made possible by the work and dedication of previous superintendents, including that of Dr. Coberly, who has played an instrumental role in establishing a culture of student and staff success that is tops in our state and one of the top performing school districts in our nation," Dennis stated.
