Colorado River BOCES

Empowering teachers and students for a brighter future.

Executive Director Selection

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Announcements

Yampah Mountain High School Principal Retirement Announcement: Honoring Dr. Leigh McGown

After 19 impactful years as Principal of Yampah Mountain High School, and over 29 years of total service to its students, Dr. Leigh McGown will be stepping down from the YMHS principal position at the end of the 2024–2025 school year. On behalf of Colorado River BOCES, we extend our sincere appreciation for Leigh’s steadfast leadership, deep commitment, and the meaningful contributions she has made to students, families, and staff across our region.

Leigh began her journey at Yampah in 1997, first as an advisor and educator, and later as the school’s Principal beginning in 2007. Over the years, she helped guide the school from its early days, before it even had a permanent building, into a thriving, high-performing alternative education campus known for its strong community, dedicated staff, and student-centered philosophy.

Her leadership helped shape some of Yampah’s most pivotal moments, from guiding the school through the Colorado Department of Education’s turnaround initiative to achieving recognition as a high-performing alternative campus. Even through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and other shifts in education, Leigh remained focused on what matters most: ensuring every student is seen, supported, and given the opportunity to succeed. Her belief in students, her commitment to creating opportunity, and her work to build a culture of belonging have defined her time as principal.

Leigh’s vision has always centered on expanding opportunity for students seeking a more personalized approach to education, those whose passions, life experiences, or learning needs don’t fit neatly into a traditional model. Under her leadership, Yampah has become a place where students reconnect with learning, discover their strengths, and chart purposeful paths toward graduation and beyond. Her support for each student’s unique journey continues to shape the heart of the school’s mission.

While Leigh is stepping away from school leadership, she will remain a vital part of the Yampah community. She will return to her roots as Director of the Infant and Toddler Nursery and continue supporting students through job training and career-connected learning programs like EPIC. Her passion for helping young people build meaningful futures continues to guide her work.

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Leigh McGown’s retirement from the principalship and in thanking her for her years of dedication and service. Her work has left a lasting imprint on Yampah Mountain High School, and her impact will be felt for years to come.

—Colorado River Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES)

Colorado River BOCES Announces its Yampah Mountain High School Principal Selection

Colorado River BOCES is pleased to announce that a contract for the Yampah Mountain High School Principal position has been offered to Dr. Subhas Mathew. Dr. Mathew will be joining us beginning the 2025/2026 academic school year.

Dr. Mathew brings over 2 decades of educational experience.  He began his educational career as a teacher’s aide. Later he began teaching science, grades 4-8, high school accounting, baking and coaching cross-country at several schools in Dallas. Since 2013, he has been in school administration as an assistant principal, principal and superintendent. During his administrative journey, he was also the founding principal of two campuses in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. Dr. Mathew earned his bachelor's degree in accounting, a couple of master’s degrees in public administration and personnel management from India and a doctorate (Ph.D.) from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX.

Dr. Mathew firmly believes that all students can learn and succeed, regardless of their background and circumstances: economic, social, cultural or academic, and that each child brings in a unique set of talents and skills that enhances the learning environment. He believes in our collective responsibility as educators to provide a nurturing, safe, secure and stimulating environment that builds and unlocks each child's potential while igniting creativity and passion for learning to prepare them for their tailored future.

With Dr. Mathew’s knowledge and experience, we believe he will make an excellent addition to the Yampah Mountain High School’s staff and students. We ask you all for your support as Dr. Mathew transitions into this new role, and we look forward to seeing him grow within our school and our community.

Upcoming events

February 19th, 8:55am - 1:00pm: Colorado River BOCES Board Meeting, click here.

The Colorado River BOCES (board of cooperative education services) has been serving school districts in the Roaring Fork Valley to De Beque since 2017. Our main office is located in Parachute, CO. We provide special education leadership and services, administer Yampah Mountain High School, provide alternative licensure, regional Career and Technical Education, and administers Colorado's supplemental and blended learning program.

BOCES are an important and vital part of public educational systems in Colorado. The Colorado River BOCES helps to provide opportunities for rural districts that otherwise may not be able to provide.

Member Districts