John Newkirk: Jeffco native, incumbent school board member seeks to keep position

Why he is in the news: “We still have more work to do,” said John Newkirk, Jeffco school board member.Newkirk, representing District 2, wants to continue to increase choice, safety and opportunities for Jeffco students, and is facing a recall election in November, as are fellow board members Julie Williams and Ken Witt.Along with ensuring the implementation of some policies and his work to date on the board, Newkirk said he’d like to continue working on his platform — Accountability, Choices, Transportation and Safety (ACTS) — if elected to finish his term.All three members were elected to the board in 2013 and are fighting at the ballot box for the chance to serve out the rest of their terms.”I say vote no on this recall election and let’s keep our district in its upward trajectory,” he added.About him: A Jeffco native, Newkirk is a graduate of Jeffco Schools. After graduating from college with an engineering degree, he started up two businesses, the Colorado Computer Association and Colorado Biomedical, in Jefferson County.Prior to his work on the board, he was appointed to the Committee on Judicial Performance and has managed two companies.Brings to the table: With several items yet to accomplish, Newkirk said he feels encouraged by the community regarding his work to date, and is looking forward to two more years on the board of education.”I’d love to shout out to the mountaintops all the great things we’re doing in Jefferson County,” he said. “We’ve delivered on our points.”Along with ensuring proper implementation of the performance-based pay model and creating more options for choice, Newkirk said he’d like to see an increase in student safety and work on closing Jeffco’s achievement gap.”I’d love to really hone in on the achievement gaps we have in our high-risk areas,” he said. “I want to see that happen and increase choice in those areas.”Hobbies and other interests: Outside of running in this election, Newkirk said he likes to raise cattle on his family ranch, is a beekeeper, and enjoys playing the flute and writing books.He also said he enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters.In his own words:”I want to make Jefferson County a leader in public education. Everything we do I want us to be the best in class — and I think we can do that as long as we’re all on the same team.””I say what I’m going to do and I do what I say — what else is there?””Jeffco is a great place to grow up, I got a great education here and I am very proud to be here.”