Cartier will start on July 1, 2023, and lead the KOSON Schools Shared Services Team.
Highlands Ranch, Colo. – The KOSON/STEM School Highlands Ranch Board of Directors proudly announces Matt Cartier as its first-ever Chief Innovation Officer of KOSON Schools. Cartier will begin as CIO on July 1 and lead the KOSON Shared Services Team that helps to support the flagship campus, STEM School Highlands Ranch, and any future campuses.
“Matt brings a wealth of experience in education and leadership, including starting and helping to start several schools,” said Kelly Reyna, KOSON/STEM Board of Directors Chair/President. “The Board believes that Matt has the qualifications to not only support our flagship campus but also to build and open future campuses in the KOSON Schools Network. We are excited to have him lead our Shared Services Team. We also want to thank Dr. Karen Johnson for her commitment and dedication to STEM and KOSON Schools.”
Dr. Karen Johnson has been serving as the Interim Chief Executive Officer for the 2022-23 School Year, leading the KOSON Shared Services Team during the development and search for the CIO. Dr. Johnson moved into the interim role after Dr. Penny Eucker retired in June 2022. Dr. Johnson will retire at the end of her contract in July 2023.
The KOSON Schools Shared Services Team is comprised of the following people:
LynAnn Kovalesky, Executive Director of STEM School Highlands Ranch
Robert Hoornstra, Chief Operations Officer
Star Ake, Chief Financial Officer
Mike Pritchard, IT Director
Nicole Bostel, Communications Director
ABOUT MATT CARTIER
Cartier is the founder and owner of Compass Educational Services, Inc., which is a school consultant organization that specializes in helping develop and open new schools. It also helps students transition from middle to high school, as well as into postsecondary.
Cartier has also served as the Founding Head of School for Colorado Christian Academy from March 2020 to June 2022. Before that, he was the Head of School for Cherry Hills Christian School.
His teaching career in Colorado began at Valor Christian High School in July 2009 as a history teacher and assistant boys golf coach. In August of 2012, he was promoted to Dean of Academic Development & Online Principal until he left the role in June 2018.
Before moving to Colorado from California, Cartier was a full-time teacher at Santa Fe Christian School from August 2007 to June 2009. He joined Pathway School in August of 2004 as an Assistant Principal and helped to open their middle school during his time. His teaching career began at Los Coyotes Middle School in La Miranda, Calif., in September of 1998.
Cartier holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science, with a minor in Biblical and Theological Studies, from Biola University in May of 1998. He earned his Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in May of 2005, also from Biola University in La Miranda, Calif.
ABOUT THE CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER POSITION
In the Fall of 2022, the KOSON/STEM Board of Directors established the official Search Committee to review the current CEO Roles and Responsibilities to provide edits and suggested changes for the revamped KOSON leadership role. The Search Committee determined that the role may be a CEO role officially, using Chief Innovation Ambassador as a descriptor/clarifier.
The CIO will be responsible for strategic vision, building stakeholder relationships, fundraising, replication, overall accountability for the KOSON Schools Network, and maintaining alignment with the policies and strategic direction of the KOSON/STEM Board of Directors. The position will report directly to the KOSON/STEM Board of Directors and work to accomplish Board established yearly objectives and benchmarks.
The CIO will also be an effective spokesperson for KOSON Schools to represent, communicate, and advocate on behalf of KOSON at authorizing agencies, relevant school districts, local and state government agencies, and business partners.