by David Tesitor
TRINIDAD — The Trinidad School Board has hired a former area resident and a man with Walsenburg connections, Chuck Smithey, as the new principal of Trinidad High School, effective immediately.
This appointment completes a journey home for the newly hired administrator.
Smithey first came to the area in 2001 when he served as the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director for John Mall High School until 2008. He also served as head football coach during his time here. His wife, Marianne, opened an antique business in Walsenburg and continued to maintain her shop even after Smithey went on to his next jobs.
After his time at John Mall, Smitheys’ next assignment took him to Rocky Ford where he worked as the high school assistant principal and athletic director. Because of budget cuts, his role as AP was cut, and he then accepted a position with the Brush School District as an administrator and curriculum educator, whose responsibilities included implementing the mandates of Senate Bill 191 in 2013.
When that position was also cut because of budget problems, Smithey was appointed as assistant principal and AD for Brush Middle School. The Brush school district, like many other rural districts, needed to cut over $500,000 in each of the past two years and the assistant principal’s job was eliminated. Smithey was offered the principal’s job at Brush High School which he declined, opting to take the job at Trinidad instead. Smithey told the World Journal, “I want to be a positive force in this community. They put their trust in me and I won’t let them down.”
The Trinidad district has been riddled with controversary over the past several years and Smithey said, “We are going to move forward. I will support the administration.” From the first day of employment, Smithey showed a positive and energetic attitude to the people he will be working with.
When he met assistant principal, Rebecca Weber, for the first time he noted that, “She is knowledgeable about the system. She will be a great help.” When asked about this assignment, Smithey replied, “This is my last stop. I always wanted to come back to the area and this is where I can stay.” He and his wife will move to Trinidad, so the family home in Walsenburg is on the market. His wife’s businesses in Walsenburg will continue to operate.
