Bill Summers begins work as new school superintendent

“Across the world, the deepest hope families carry is that their children will grow into healthy, happy, and capable adults. I take that responsibility personally and will uphold it every day with integrity. My commitment is to ensure that Gunnison Watershed School District remains a place where students are challenged academically, supported wholeheartedly, and empowered to become who they are meant to be.”— Bill Summers.

Gunnison Watershed School District Superintendent William (Bill) Summers started work on July 1.

Summers has been the principal of Cañon City High School for the past 9 years. He has also held positions as an ELA teacher, speech/debate coach, and volleyball coach in the Cañon City School District.

The new superintendent is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and has a distinguished military career. Summers has served as a United States Air Force Officer, Commander, and Pilot. He has piloted C-130 aircraft worldwide for over 4,000 hours, including 400 hours of combat time in Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In addition to his civilian academic work, he was taught for over 6,000 hours in the Air Force.

Summers has earned four master’s degrees, received several awards, presented at numerous conferences, and been selected as the 2022 Colorado Association of School Executives Principal of the Year.

When he was hired in February, school board president Anne Brookhart said, “On behalf of the Board of Education, we are honored to select Mr. William Summers as our next superintendent. Our unanimous decision was informed by input from our community, application materials including personal and professional references, and in-person interviews with the Board and district stakeholders. William Summers was selected from a pool of 16 applicants and was one of three finalists interviewed.

"During the two-day interview process, Bill emerged as the best fit to lead Gunnison Watershed School District. The Board expresses our appreciation for district employees, parents and community members for their participation throughout the search process.”

“Across the world, the deepest hope families carry is that their children will grow into healthy, happy, and capable adults. I take that responsibility personally and will uphold it every day with integrity. My commitment is to ensure that Gunnison Watershed School District remains a place where students are challenged academically, supported wholeheartedly, and empowered to become who they are meant to be. In partnership with our dedicated staff and community, we will continue to innovate, plan strategically, and invest wisely so that every student and every adult feels proud to walk through our doors," said Summers.