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CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KDVR) – UPDATE (Sept. 8): Superintendent Thomas Tucker has resigned, citing family medical reasons. The announcement was made during a school board meeting.

The DCSD Board unanimously accepted his resignation.

“We recognize the difficult timing of this news, with it coming at the beginning of a school year. However, we have the utmost confidence in our 8,300 staff members keeping our district moving forward. We know our students, staff and families are in good hands with the systems and structures that have been put into place. DCSD will continue educating and caring for our students every day,” the district said in a statement.

ORIGINAL (Sept. 5): “Superintendent Thomas Tucker is currently on leave and visiting his ailing mother in Arkansas. No further information is available at this time,” the PIO at DCSD told FOX31. 

A source within the district told our Problem Solvers that “Dr. Tucker is on leave pending an outside investigation and the announcement was made to a small group on Wednesday after an executive session of the school board meeting Tuesday night.” 

When asked if Dr. Tucker’s leave was because of his mother’s illness and if it was his decision the district would only say that no further information is available. 

FOX31 obtained a copy of an email sent to district leadership and principals which reads in part, “this communication is being shared with you on behalf of the DCSD Board of Education Directors David Ray and Krista Holtzman. We want to provide you with an important update. Superintendent Thomas Tucker is currently on leave and visiting his ailing mother in Arkansas. No further information is available at this time.”

Douglas County School District is Colorado’s third largest district with 67,000 students and 8,300 employees. According to school board public notes from June of 2019 his salary is $267,485.  Dr. Tucker was hired in 2018 and has a five-year contract that is set to expire in 2023.  

The district has come under fire from parents frustrated with a delay in the remote learning start. The district has not said who will be acting superintendent while Dr. Tucker is on leave.