Colorado is holding elections, including for school boards, on Nov. 7, 2023. A number of candidates running in these elections completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Below is a selection of responses from the candidates who filled out the survey as of Oct. 17. To read each candidate’s full responses, click his or her name at the bottom of the article.
Jill Bishop (nonpartisan) is running for Manitou Springs School District 14 Board of Education, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Bishop responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Public policy in education needs to critically evaluate how we foster excellence and equity for all students in our nation. These policies can only be effective if we first address our teacher shortage. Educating children, our nation’s future, is arguably one of the most important things we do as a society. We must increase teacher salary to attract the best and brightest to this imperative profession.”
Click here to read the rest of Bishop’s answers.
Derek Easdon (nonpartisan) is running for School District 27J Board of Education District 1, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Easdon responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“I am passionate about the students of 27J receiving a quality education free from social and/or political motivations or agendas. As a board, we should pass policy that helps all students to learn how to think, not what to think.
We also must help all students feel safe to come to school. …
I also believe that transparency and open lines of communication between the school district and parents, and their child’s school/teacher and the parents, is critical. …”
Click here to read the rest of Easdon’s answers.
Amara Hildebrand (nonpartisan) is running for Jeffco Board of Education District 4, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Hildebrand responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“I’m passionate about school choice, curriculum transparency and equality of opportunity.”
Click here to read the rest of Hildebrand’s answers.
Shawna Hirter (nonpartisan) is running for School District 27J Board of Education District 3, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Hirter responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“I am concerned with any public policy that disrupts children’s learning. I believe every child has a right to receive a quality education.”
Click here to read the rest of Hirter’s answers.
Marie LaVere-Wright (nonpartisan) is running for Falcon School District 49 school board District 3, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how LaVere-Wright responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“My passion is respecting the dignity of every person, and my interest in public policy all relate to that. Public Education and access to quality education for all is my first passion because it is the great equalizer in our society. The second area is support for children in foster care, and trauma-informed care and education systems. The third is disability rights and community support and access. All of these areas for me are about respecting life and recognizing the intrinsic value and dignity of every person in our community.”
Click here to read the rest of LaVere-Wright’s answers.
Valerie Thompson (nonpartisan) is running for Douglas County School District Board of Directors District F, and the general election is on Nov. 7. Here’s how Thompson responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Equity-focused policies that prioritize addressing real issues. In our district that includes policies that are inclusive, that support mental health needs of our students, address funding challenges, and support the retention and recruitment of district staff.”
Click here to read the rest of Thompson’s answers.
If you’re a Colorado candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey. The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also populate the information that appears in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.
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