LA JARA — Darren Edgar is back on his home turf as the new superintendent of the North Conejos School District.

Originally from Sanford, Edgar was the superintendent of the Sierra Grande School District in Blanca for 14 years.

Before that, he worked as a teacher at Manassa Elementary School for six years.

North Conejos School District has five schools — Centauri High School, Centauri Middle School, Manassa Elementary School, La Jara Elementary and North Conejos Alternative Program — and a district office in La Jara.

Edgar inherited a newly completed Centauri High School. Students and staff moved into the building at the end of the previous school year. While the building is complete, there is still work being done outside of the campus.

Overseeing this while trying to conduct business as usual is a top priority for Edgar. Despite construction, Centauri is a lively and thriving school. Students are excelling, especially the junior class. Seniors are doing well on their SAT scores.

Edgar acknowledges there are many factors that create an excellent school. It is the commitment and dedication and cooperation of the superintendent with his school board, principals, and parents who all work together “to best serve the student to achieve a quality education."

Edgar has high praise for the schools in the district.

"We should look at La Jara Elementary. They will probably win awards," he said.