D49 school board set to fire three Vista Ridge High assistant principals

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Falcon School District 49's School Board is set to officially approve the terminations of three Vista Ridge High administrators Thursday night. 13 Investigates has been pushing D49 for answers on why three principals suddenly left Vista Ridge High School, but haven't received any answers about what led to the sudden departures.

During Thursday night's school board agenda, three principals -- Angela Duca, Brandon Monson, and Sarah Ricci -- are recommended to be fired. All three began working at Vista Ridge High School back in 2019.

Their effective termination date was September 29th, five days before Vista Ridge parents were notified that the principals wouldn't be coming back for the year.

13 Investigates asked District 49 several questions about what happened to lead to the sudden departure of the principals as well as a Vista Ridge High School Secretary, but we are told they would not discuss the issue because it is a personnel matter.

However, our team did uncover that Assistant Principal Brandon Monson was working for more than a year and a half without a principal's license required by law, according to state education records.

It's unclear if anything regarding Monson's license led up to the terminations, however, the Vista Ridge assistant principal will be discussed at Thursday's school board meeting.

Also on Thursday night's agenda, the school board is set to fire the former Falcon High School Football Head Coach Darrel Gorham and Assistant Coach Joshua Hall.

A District 49 investigation revealed coaches and parents did not report what they knew about alleged hazing a smaller football player because it could have negatively impacted the team's playing season.

The 13 Investigates team will be at Thursday's board meeting and will update you with what they learn.

If you have a tip or lead you want our team to look into, contact us at 13Investigates@krdo.com.