Utah's highest-paid superintendent retires, then accepts job in Colorado a month later

Park City School District office. Photo: TownLift // Rayne Moynahan

Park City School District Superintendent Jill Gildea, who announced her retirement last month, is taking a new position in Colorado

PARK CITY, Utah – Utah’s highest-paid superintendent, Jill Gildea, announced her retirement from the Park City School District last month amid questions about potential contract violations. Now, she’s set to lead Colorado Early Colleges, a public charter school network, beginning Nov. 1, the organization confirmed.

While Gildea’s retirement from Park City officially takes effect on Jan. 31, 2025, the terms of her departure remain unclear. When asked if she would receive severance pay or other benefits, Park City School Board Chair Andrew Caplan declined to comment, citing the district’s policy not to comment on personnel matters. The details of Gildea’s Colorado employment contract are not currently known.

The controversy surrounding Gildea’s contract began after Colorado Early Colleges announced in August that she was their sole candidate for CEO, a decision made on Aug. 16. Just days later, on Aug. 20, the Park City School Board renewed her contract in a narrow 3-2 vote, with members Meredith Reed and Nicholas Hill opposing. According to her Park City contract, Gildea was required to inform the board promptly if she applied for other positions and to provide a 30-day advance notice if she intended to leave, or face a $2,000 early termination penalty. District officials have not confirmed whether she notified them of her job search.