Colorado Association of School Boards
Kenneth DeLay, J.D.
Executive Director
Coloraodo Association of School Boards
Kenneth "Ken" DeLay is only the third executive director of the Colorado Association of School Boards since the Association's founding in 1941. Prior to his selection to lead the state's 178 school districts, Ken built a successful, 20-year career with one of Colorado's premier school law firms, Semple, Miller, DeLay and Mooney.
Educated as an economist and an attorney, Ken represented large metropolitan school districts as well as some of the smallest and most rural districts in Colorado. He understands the constitutional, statutory, regulatory legal framework that binds school districts. His outstanding communications and negotiation skills have served his clients well as he persuaded a skeptical judge or jury, calmed an angry parents group, confronted an uncivil opposing counsel, or delivered a compelling message to an indifferent media.
His strong and enduring belief in the value of public education, and his commitment to public services, has earned him the respect of local school board members, many of whom he knows personally.
DeLay served for eight years on the CASB Legislative Committee. He is well versed on the many issues that confront school boards. And, he offers CASB the political savvy to develop legislative strategy on questions of local control, school finance, psychological and physical safety, evaluating performance and accountability, and curriculum standards.
Ken DeLay is a sought-after presenter and lecturer at universities and conferences across the country. He has been a member of the National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys (COSA) and served as president and vice-president of the Colorado affiliate.
Born and raised on a ranch in Montana, DeLay received his bachelor's degree in economics, with honors, from North Carolina State University. He attended the University of Denver Law School and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado. DeLay is married and lives with his family in Longmont. His leisure time is most often spent reading, hiking, camping or just playing with his children.