Natalie Chuck joined Denver7 Investigates in May 2024. Previously, she worked as a Multimedia Journalist in San Diego where she covered historic flooding, wrongful-death lawsuits, and cold cases.
Denver7 Investigates has learned that 14 employment contracts, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, were signed improperly in the Cherry Creek School District.The revelation comes after one parent and district alum filed an open records request to see an interim superintendent's contract.
'I wanted to see what the terms of his contract were,' parent Molly Lamar told Denver7 Investigates.The contract for Toby Arritola, who was previously the district's executive director of strategic initiatives, was signed Feb. 23, 2026 by two members of the district's board of education who are no longer in those positions, and have not been for months following the recent election in November 2025. Arritola's contract was to become assistant superintendent of the Educational Services Center. Despite the fact that Angela Garland is no longer the board president and is now in a different position on the board, her signature is on Arritola's contract and listed as the president, a role she held last year.The other signature is from Kelly Bates, where she is listed as the board secretary. Bates is no longer on the board at all after terming out of her position last year.'They are rubber stamping these $100,000 contracts and not paying any attention to detail. It's not OK,' Lamar said.After Denver7 Investigates began asking questions about Arritola's contract, a spokesperson for the Cherry Creek School District revealed that a total of 14 contracts were impacted by this error. Of those 14, 12 are teachers, one is an assistant superintendent and the other is Arritola's. Denver7 Investigates requested an interview about what happened, but instead were sent the following statement.This issue comes after Denver7 Investigates reported about what insiders called a toxic work environment fueled by nepotism.The now-former superintendent Chris Smith resigned in January, shortly after Denver7 Investigates' original report. His wife, Brenda Smith, who is the chief human resource officer, was then placed on administrative leave Feb. 2. She is still currently under investigation, as is another assistant superintendent, Tony Poole. The district also announced it would conduct an external audit and formed a committee to hire an outside firm. 'It just appears sloppy and Cherry Creek is not a district that's known to be sloppy,' said Jennifer Churchfield, who previously served as the president of the district's board from 2011-2013.Churchfield said that during her time on the board, including when she was secretary earlier in her tenure, there was no 'template or an auto signature.''I sat after the board meeting and personally signed every single contract that the resolutions and the consent agenda passed,' she said.A district spokesperson said all 14 contracts that were signed incorrectly have been fixed and signed by the appropriate board members. The district sent Denver Investigates a copy of Arritola's updated contract, which was signed on March 11 by current Board President Anne Egan and current Secretary JC Futrell. Denver7 Investigates reached out to Arritola regarding the contract that was improperly signed, but has not received a response.Arritola was named an interim assistant superintendent by former Superintendent Smith in the weeks before his resignation.
Denver Investigative News Denver Investigations Denver News Investigations Denver7 Investigates Denver7 Investigates Jaclyn Allen Denver7 Investigates Joe Vaccarelli Denver7 Investigates Natalie Chuck Denver7 Investigates Tony Kovaleski Investigative News
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
DU hockey rides hot streak into NCAA West Regional in LovelandBradey King is the newest member of the Denver7 sports team.
Read more »
From turf to toilets: Castle Rock posts major water‑use decline despite rising temperaturesDanielle Kreutter is a multimedia journalist for Denver7 KMGH in Denver, Colorado.
Read more »
Denver7 gets answers after DougCo residents question if county has the water to sustain growthI’ve received a few awards for my reporting, but nothing compares to the connections made with everyday people who are kind enough to welcome me into their lives, if only for a few moments.
Read more »
Loveland searches for solutions to address homelessness as closure of resource center loomsClaire Lavezzorio is a reporter at KMGH Denver7 in Denver, Colorado.
Read more »
Denver Summit FC fans gear up for the team's inaugural home openerMaggie Bryan joined the Denver7 team in June 2025 as a morning reporter.
Read more »
Denver7 Gives viewers pitch in to help with home repairs for tornado survivors in Adams CountyDanielle Kreutter is a multimedia journalist for Denver7 KMGH in Denver, Colorado.
Read more »