First forum held in Jeffco school board race

*Editor’s note: A previous version of this story wrongly listed Ron Mitchell as running in District 3, instead of District 5. 

The recall election of the three majority members on the Jefferson County Board of Education loomed large at the election season’s first candidate forum, as nine of the dozen candidates vying for a seat shared their opinions. “Jeffco Schools has to be the best-performing district in this country and we can make this happen,” said David Hickey, a Lakewood resident attending the forum. “But we have to have the right people at the right time at the right place to make that happen.” The Centennial Institute, a think tank at Colorado Christian University, hosted the Aug. 31 forum, introducing candidates running for the board’s five seats.The recall targets the current board majority: board president Ken Witt, Julie Williams and John Newkirk. The three candidates running to replace the board majority — Susan Harmon, Ron Mitchell and Brad Rupert — did not attend the event. Rupert, Mitchell and Harmon later explained they had scheduling conflicts.”American public education is one of the glories of our free society, our republic that leads the world in so many ways…,” said John Andrews, forum moderator, Centennial Institute director and former Colorado state senator. “Recent weeks have seen the drama of many thousands of petition signatures well above the required threshold filed asking the board majority to submit to the voters for a recall — that is, you’re fired or an affirmation … So all five director positions are at play.”About 200 people gathered in Colorado Christian University’s Leprino Hall for the forum, the first of several planned throughout the county.”Nothing is more important than the future of our kids,” Lakewood resident Patti Peters said. “As a veteran, we serve and protect our country for the next generation, so we have to serve and empower them to be the best they can be.”The event offered each candidate the chance to provide opening and closing statements, answer two broad questions and answer a series of direct and indirect yes or no questions. Question one was about the current recall election, followed by Jeffco’s achievement gap, funding, Common Core curriculum, assessments, charter schools, sex education, student-based budgeting, seventh- through 12th-grade schools, teacher compensation and retaining the district’s current superintendent, Dan McMinimee.

District I

Julie WilliamsIncumbent first vice president on board, elected in 2013; Jeffco mom; parent of special needs and gifted children

Campaign points:

• Increase choice in schools• Has helped equalize student funding, increased teacher compensation, allocated $ 18 million to new school in northwest corridor• Brings balance to board• Stands up for all stakeholders’ voices

In her words:

“I really do care about all our kids in Jeffco, and that’s why I find it really difficult to understand why so many don’t agree with us. We have been fiscally responsible, transparent and we have worked very hard for kids like my son Randy, his friends and all kids in Jeffco.”Contact: (303) 829-2532Brad RupertLawyer, active in civic organizations, Arvada Man of the Year in 2011

Campaign points:• Transparency• Accountability• Honesty• Integrity

In his own words:”We need to return our focus to providing an excellent education to every student every day. Our economy and our democracy depend on it.”

Contact: (303) 578-9151www.BradForJeffcoKids.com.Brad@bradforjeffcokids.com.

District II

Matt DhieuxFather, medical practitioner and business ownerCampaign Points:

• Remove political agenda from board• Brings unbiased perspective and leadership

In his own words:”I think the people feel they have lost control of their school board, and when you look at the purpose of a school board and where it’s most effective, it’s when it’s in control of the community. Our efforts are geared towards students … Optimum result would be to get rid of political agendas and start over with a community-focused school board.”Contact: (303) 550-7323Mattdhieux@yahoo.comJohn NewkirkIncumbent board secretary, elected in 2013; Jeffco parentCampaign points:

• Move forward to improve education• Highlights work on increasing district’s transparency, approving teacher contract, equalizing student funding and increasing teacher salary and student achievement• Increase student achievement through innovative waysIn his own words:

“We cannot escape progress; we cannot afford the luxury of inaction. Our district must move forward for the world may very well leave us in their wake.”Contact: (720) 446-9836Susan HarmonOwner of a family law practice. Has served on Jeffco school accountability committees and the district calendar committee.Campaign points:

• Hands-on experience with district• Will be a voice for families and kidsIn her own words:

“I feel I have direct hands-on experience with some of the changes that have been going on, and I wanted to jump in. And I feel the school board is a great opportunity for that.”Contact: (720) 460-0473www.SusanForJeffcoKids.comsusan@susanforjeffcokids.com.

District III

Kim Johnson

Jeffco mom and former property manager

Campaign points:

• Provide flexibility and resources to teachers to serve all students• Prioritize relationships with community businesses, municipalities and governments• Seek innovative ways to increase student achievement.• Brings a neutral side to the boardIn her own words:

“Just as we do with do with our students every day, our leaders need to continue to seek innovative solutions to the problems that we face to drive student achievement.”Contact: Kim@KimforJeffcoSchools.comwww.kimforjeffcoschools.com/Ali LasellJeffco mom, Adams County teacher and coachCampaign points:

• Seek fiscal accountability• Support all teachers• Brings teamwork and collaboration to the boardIn her own words:

“I am both a concerned parent and educator. I believe every student deserves a great education, and I want to be a part of making decisions that are best for all students — school boards make a difference.”Contact: 720-580-1568http://alilasell.com/

District IV

Tori Merritts

Jeffco mom and grandmother, former Jeffco school board member (1994-2003)

In her own words:

“We need to make sure that all of our teachers are prepared with giving and teaching with all of our best practices, that they have adequate flexibility to do what they need to do in their classrooms and that they are prepared to teach all children, even those with different learning styles.”

Contact: 303-238-5627Cell phone: 303-618-1915irot@aol.comAmanda StevensJeffco mom and former teacherCampaign points:

• Win excellence in transparency• Win excellence in learning and building work skills• Provide more opportunities, such as job shadowing• Build and rebuild community relationships with all stakeholdersIn her own words:

“No opportunity moves me in the ways serving on this Jeffco school board moves me … I know the issues, I love the data and stories that illuminate the work we need to be doing for Jeffco’s kids.”Contact: 720-962-5204Amanda@AmandaforJeffcoSchools.comwww.AmandaforJeffcoSchools.com

District V

Paula Noonan

Jeffco mom, grandmother and former school board member (2009-2013)Campaign points:

• Restore trust with all stakeholders• Restore rationality to the teacher evaluation and student assessment systems• Seek total transparency on all levels

In her own words:

“It’s hard to believe that this district is in such a deep trust hole … We are not being good role models for how to discuss complicated issues, make decisions and accept the decisions that are made responsibly … We don’t just need a change in tone, we need a complete reboot. My ideas are not based on what’s partisan or ideological; they are based on what’s good for all Jefferson County children.”Contact: (303) 973-7774Penoonan@Comcast.netKen WittIncumbent board president, elected in 2013; Jeffco parentCampaign points:

• Has a passion for education• Close achievement gap• Continue work, asking hard questions and using resolve to improve educationIn his own words:

“Getting it right is a sobering and critical responsibility. It’s worth considering what it takes to get it right. It’s worth focusing on where it’s wrong and having the courage and resolve to take on the issues and make the change necessary to improve education.”Contact: (303) 681-5730

Ron Mitchell

More than 40 years as an educator and administrator, including principal of Columbine and Alameda high schoolsCampaign points:

• Concerned about “extremist agenda” not in students’ best interests• Focus on decreasing teacher turnover• Strengthen neighborhood schoolsIn his own words:

“I am a very experienced educator and believe I bring high integrity to the board room.”Contact: (720) 588-2174www.RonForJeffcoKids.comron@ronforjeffcokids.com

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