Date: May 11, 2026

The Las Animas School District Board of Education is pleased to announce the selection of two finalists for the position of Superintendent of Schools: Lana Gardner and Addie Wallace.

The selection comes after a comprehensive search and review process of qualified candidates.

ABOUT THE FINALISTS

ADDIE WALLACE

Mrs. Wallace currently serves as the Principal for Las Animas Junior High and High School. She brings 24 years of experience in education across three states, providing her with a broad perspective on leadership, school systems, and student needs. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of educational leadership roles with a strong focus on systems thinking, accountability, and creating opportunities for students and staff.

Mrs. Wallace holds a Master of Arts degree and has extensive experience in school operations, personnel management, strategic planning, technology integration, and district collaboration. She has successfully led initiatives focused on school culture, student achievement, staff development, safety, and organizational improvement. Her leadership style emphasizes transparency, relationship building, and decision-making that supports the success of the entire district.

With a strong understanding of rural education and a commitment to continuous improvement, Mrs. Wallace is prepared to lead with vision, integrity, and a student-centered focus as superintendent.

LANA GARDNER

Mrs. Gardner currently serves as the Principal of Las Animas Elementary School. Lana is a proud 4th generation alum of Bent County/Las Animas High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics; a Master’s of Basic Science with a Math Teaching emphasis and completed the Principal’s Licensure coursework at CU-Colorado Springs. Mrs. Gardner taught math for 10 years at Las Animas High School and has been the principal at LAES for the past 15 years. Lana has served as vice-chair on the advisory boards for the Bent County Early Learning Center and the Bent County Community Center. In addition, Lana has led the Santa Fe Trail BOCES Principal’s PLC, served as a Principal Mentor for the Colorado Department of Education’s Principal Leadership Institute and partnered with Denver University and CU-Colorado Springs staff for special projects.

As principal at LAES, Mrs. Gardner has strived to build a safe culture of belonging, nurturing and support balanced with high expectations and the belief in growth for all students and staff. Together with a team of strong leaders and teachers, students have experienced great academic success, earning CDE’s Center of Excellence recognition based on the 2025 CMAS testing.

The Board of Education will host a Meet the Candidates Reception on May 14, 2026, from 4:30pm to 6pm in the Junior High Commons Area. Providing Staff, students and community members an opportunity to meet the Finalists and offer input.

Formal Interviews with each candidate will take place at the May 20, 2026, board meeting.