Dr. Kenneth Stephen Burnley (1942-2011) was driven in his philosophy of education by his passion for teaching, learning, and what he called his never-ending journey to impart and receive knowledge. He diligently and faithfully served as Superintendent of Colorado Springs School District 11 from 1987 to 2000

Burnley’s energy was legendary.  He corrected a $12 million dollar budget imbalance; he created The Foundation for District 11; he developed and implemented the Post-Secondary Option program with Pikes Peak Community College enabling high school students to earn college credits; he opened the first International Baccalaureate program in the Pikes Peak region at Palmer High School; and he led the pass of the Public School Finance Act of 1994, enabling fairer funding of Colorado’s schools.

Dr. Burnley reached national acclaim as the recipient of the 1993 Colorado and National Superintendent of the Year Awards from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). Dr. Burnley served on the Diversity Committee at the University of Michigan School of Education, the steering committee for the National Research Initiative for School Reform and Beyond, the Board of Directors at Colorado Technical College, as the Chair of the Education Committee for the United States Olympic Committee, and many other distinguished boards. Dr. Burnley was recognized for his excellence in education as a Member of the American Delegation of Superintendents to Tel Aviv, China, and Taiwan