2023 Pikes Peak Region
D2 – Harrison
School Board Candidates
Candidates presented in Alphabetical Order
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Mobile-Friendly D2 Candidate Listings
THE TOPICS
& QUESTIONS
click each box to read answer
Candidate Information
Campaign Website URL:
Email Address:
Occupation/Vocation:
Military Background (if any):
Resident of Colorado Springs:
Political Leanings
As a candidate in a nonpartisan School Board election, you are not officially associated with any specific political party. How would you describe your political leanings (socially, fiscally, etc.) and why do you define yourself in this way?
Your Experience and Vision
Improving Schools
Curriculum
What types of curricula, including library books and materials, do you believe should be added or removed from your district’s schools? Why?
Financial Stewardship
Depending on the size of their district, School Board Members decide how to spend $10s of millions of dollars, or even $100s of millions, in taxpayer money each year. How would you seek to prioritize the funds being stewarded by your district’s School Board?
Securing Constitutional Liberties
In recent years, established freedoms, including that of speech, peaceable assembly, exercise of religion, and medical autonomy, have been impacted by various mandates adopted by schools across America. As an elected representative of the citizens of your district, how would you seek to secure the Constitutional liberties of your schools’ students and staff?
Parental Role
What do you consider to be a parent’s role in a child’s education? Do you believe that any information about a student should ever be withheld from a parent?
Sex Ed
Why do you support or oppose comprehensive sexuality education, including LGBT health and relationship information, in public schools K to 12? What are your positions regarding age appropriateness, curriculum transparency, and opt-out policies?
Gender Issues
Explain your positions regarding teaching and discussing gender issues in the classroom, including the use of “preferred pronouns”?
School Safety
As a School Board member, what will you do to help assure a safe and secure environment for both the students and staff of your district?
School Board Meetings
What do believe is the correct balance between the authority of School Boards and the rights of the public to present their views during School Board meetings?
SHERREA ELLIOTT-STERLING
Candidate Information
Campaign Website URL: www.SterlingForStudentsAndTeachers.poliengine.com
Email Address: Sterling4StudentsAndTeachers@gmail.com
Occupation/Vocation: Stay-at-Home Mom
Resident of Pikes Peak Region & District: 8 years and 3 years
Political Leanings
As a candidate in the Colorado Springs nonpartisan municipal election, you are not officially associated with any specific political party. How would you describe your political leanings (socially, fiscally, etc.) and why do you define yourself in this way?
I am a Conservative Christian. I believe that the government rests on his shoulders. In Politics and Government, many seem to see them as necessary evils, bringing frustration and disarray in the present, but still giving us hope for the future. I have recognized the failure of human solutions, but at the same time I know something must be done to fix what is broken. What man can’t do; God can do.
Your Experience and Vision
What experience (personal, professional, other) would you bring to your role as School Board Member that will benefit your district? What is your vision to help ensure the highest quality education for your district’s students?
Colorado Springs needs strong leadership to avoid turning into a large city, such as Denver, where homelessness and lawlessness drive out families and businesses. I have spent 30 years in Colorado Springs building a business and raising a family. I care about our quality of life. Lets ensure the next generation has a brighter future by leading instead of following and innovating instead of keeping the status quo. This election is a tipping point for our city as we elect a new mayor and city council. Crime rates are increasing, and roads are busier. Only strong leadership can tackle these problems, drive down the cost of living, and ensure a thriving economy through low taxes and a smaller government.
Improving Schools
What are the primary strengths and weaknesses of your district’s schools? How can your district make public school a more attractive choice for local families?
Primary strengths of our district are our community of teachers and administrators who are willing to rally around the students to help them succeed and the administration’s willingness to think out of the box to meet the needs in the district. One of the primary weaknesses of our district is its inability to hit and maintain academic proficiency. In order to be a more attractive option we must begin to excel at our primary mission of educating our children.
Curriculum
What types of curricula, including library books and materials, do you believe should be added or removed from your district’s schools? Why?
Curriculum that focuses on reading, writing, english, mathematics, science, civics, and financial literacy should be what is taught in our schools. We need to prioritize these subjects to the point that all of our students excel. Books that encourage and foster age appropriate learning and supplement approved teacher instruction are the types of books that should be added and remain in the library. Books that are explicit and sexual in nature should be removed from school libraries.
Financial Stewardship
Depending on the size of their district, School Board Members decide how to spend $10s of millions of dollars, or even $100s of millions, in taxpayer money each year. How would you seek to prioritize the funds being stewarded by your district’s School Board?
As a district we should make sure our financial priorities match our academic priorities, and spend taxpayer dollars with the expectation that every dollar will bring back a return on our investment that students, parents, teachers and the public can be proud of.
Securing Constitutional Liberties
In recent years, established freedoms, including that of speech, peaceable assembly, exercise of religion, and medical autonomy, have been impacted by various mandates adopted by schools across America. As an elected representative of the citizens of your district, how would you seek to secure the Constitutional liberties of your schools’ students and staff?
As a member of the board I would seek to secure the Constitutional liberties of D2 students and staff by having the courage to stand up for those liberties when they are being infringed upon and working to make sure that our decisions within the board honor and align with the freedoms we all have been given.
Parental Role
What do you consider to be a parent’s role in a child’s education? Do you believe that any information about a student should ever be withheld from a parent?
A parent and legal guardian’s role in a child’s education is to be a child’s biggest advocate, defense system, support system and cheerleader. It is impossible for parents and guardians to be effective in their role when information is withheld, therefore I do not believe any information should be withheld from parents
Sex Ed
Why do you support or oppose comprehensive sexuality education, including LGBT health and relationship information, in public schools K to 12? What are your positions regarding age appropriateness, curriculum transparency, and opt-out policies?
I oppose comprehensive sexuality education, including LGBT health and relationship information in K-12. I believe that sex education that discusses puberty, menstruation, contraception, abstinence, and sexually transmitted diseases should be taught by a professional, and give parents the ability to opt their student out of these teachings. This curriculum should be age appropriate, and parents should be given a syllabus outlining the curriculum before the start of class. Ultimately it is a parent’s choice how and when this sort of education should be introduced to their child.
Gender Issues
Explain your positions regarding teaching and discussing gender issues in the classroom, including the use of “preferred pronouns”?
Classroom instruction should be centered around and based on an approved curriculum that focuses on the fundamentals of education, such as reading, writing, math, science, civics, financial literacy and english. Topics such as sexuality and gender should not be discussed in the classroom. The use of preferred pronouns should be addressed in a comprehensive manner by the school board before introducing it as an option to students in the classroom.
School Safety
As a School Board member, what will you do to help assure a safe and secure environment for both the students and staff of your district?
D2 is currently implementing a number of safety measures and are in the process of implementing more. To add to what is already being done, I believe we should have secure entry points at each school, create more secure measures for visitors and school dismissal, increase school safety checks, explore giving administration and teachers emergency training and create educational programs on guns and drugs to warn kids about the danger of these at school and home. I also believe that when evaluating a student’s disciplinary action we must consider the safety of others as the first priority.
School Board Meetings
What do believe is the correct balance between the authority of School Boards and the rights of the public to present their views during School Board meetings?
The correct balance of authority is that of valuing the voice of the public and trusting the board to make the right decisions. Because the School Board is made up of elected officials, we as the public should trust those we put in office to run the district in the right way. However, I do believe that community members should always be able to present their views during school board meetings because the voice of the public plays a vital role in the School Board’s decision making.
PAMELA ROBINSON
Candidate Information
Campaign Website URL: None
Email Address: PGRobinson1915@gmail.com
Occupation/Vocation: Retired Principal
Military Background (if any): US Army
Resident of Pikes Peak Region & District: 32 years and 26 years
Political Leanings
As a candidate in the Colorado Springs nonpartisan municipal election, you are not officially associated with any specific political party. How would you describe your political leanings (socially, fiscally, etc.) and why do you define yourself in this way?
My “political leanings”, as a candidate in a nonpartisan School Board election are reflective of the needs of whom the position primarily represents; the students and community. I define myself in this manner because the position requires comproming, serving, and accountability in an unbiased manner.
Your Experience and Vision
What experience (personal, professional, other) would you bring to your role as School Board Member that will benefit your district? What is your vision to help ensure the highest quality education for your district’s students?
My personal experience in education includes supporting faculty and staff of D2 in various ways, who contributed to the education of my three daughters who are graduates of Harrison High School and Sierra High School. In addition, supporting the faculty and staff in D2 who are contributing to the education of my two grandsons. I’ve been an educator for over 30 years, beginning as a teacher’s assistant, transitioning to a 5th grade teacher with the Department of Defense Dependent Schools. I began working in D2, 30 years ago as a substitute teacher. I was hired by D2 and taught 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades. I then became a principal in D2 serving my district and school’s community for 19 years.
Improving Schools
What are the primary strengths and weaknesses of your district’s schools? How can your district make public school a more attractive choice for local families?
Increasing academic achievement is a focus. Academic growth is occurring but not at the rate we would like to see. D2 has many strengths, we have the support of many organizations that are joining together to make our D2 community more cohesive within the individual schools and the community. Families, D2 offers a range of extended learning opportunities that include science, technology, the arts, and sports. D2 partners with several state colleges, helping our community and state populate a knowledgable and skilled workforce. In addition to advancing students to receive schalorships at top universities around the nation. D2 maximizes learning opportunities to our wide range of diverse learners. Many of our alumni return to work in D2.
Curriculum
What types of curricula, including library books and materials, do you believe should be added or removed from your district’s schools? Why?
Since this is a nonpartisan elected position, curricula choice should not be based on what I believe. Once students’ assessment data has been disaggregated, and a deep dive has been conducted within the specific skills our students are not proficient in as identified by the Colorado State Standards, this I feel, should determine what types of curricula, books, and resources we need in our schools.
Financial Stewardship
Depending on the size of their district, School Board Members decide how to spend $10s of millions of dollars, or even $100s of millions, in taxpayer money each year. How would you seek to prioritize the funds being stewarded by your district’s School Board?
Needs, whether it’s safety, instructional, infrastructure, resources, or human capital; the primary need/s should be used to prioritize spending. Students should be at the core of the fiscal decision making.
Securing Constitutional Liberties
In recent years, established freedoms, including that of speech, peaceable assembly, exercise of religion, and medical autonomy, have been impacted by various mandates adopted by schools across America. As an elected representative of the citizens of your district, how would you seek to secure the Constitutional liberties of your schools’ students and staff?
Securing the Constitutional liberties of the schools’ students and staff members involves making unbias decisions that represent the voices of the citizens who elected me to serve as a D2 Board Member.
Parental Role
What do you consider to be a parent’s role in a child’s education? Do you believe that any information about a student should ever be withheld from a parent?
Parents should ensure that their child’s school provides a safe, welcoming, and respectful learning environment. A learning environment where quality instruction is happening all day, every school day. The role also includes parents and teachers forming a comfortable, professional partnership for a common goal, educating the child. As educators, unfortunately, there are instances out of beyond the educator’s control, it is at these times when laws and/or policies mandate decision making.
Sex Ed
Why do you support or oppose comprehensive sexuality education, including LGBT health and relationship information, in public schools K to 12? What are your positions regarding age appropriateness, curriculum transparency, and opt-out policies?
It is topics such as the ones listed above that bring to the surface that this is a nonpartisan position. Personal opinions and biases are not acceptable. With the inclusion of opt-out policies, parents are provided choice.
Sex Ed
Why do you support or oppose comprehensive sexuality education, including LGBT health and relationship information, in public schools K to 12? What are your positions regarding age appropriateness, curriculum transparency, and opt-out policies?
It is topics such as the ones listed above that bring to the surface that this is a nonpartisan position. Personal opinions and biases are not acceptable. With the inclusion of opt-out policies, parents are provided choice.
Gender Issues
Explain your positions regarding teaching and discussing gender issues in the classroom, including the use of “preferred pronouns”?
My unbias position as a nonpartisan School Board candidate is reflective of what the federal, state, and local laws and policies require and/or mandate.
School Safety
As a School Board member, what will you do to help assure a safe and secure environment for both the students and staff of your district?
To thoroughly answer this question, I would need to review discipline infraction reports. In addition, I would need to know the concerns of building leaders, be informed of protocols that are in place, and what more is needed at individual campuses. I would like to reach out to teachers, students, and parents. A discussion with district leaders, to include the women and men who serve as security officers, protecting our schools will also need to occur.
School Board Meetings
What do believe is the correct balance between the authority of School Boards and the rights of the public to present their views during School Board meetings?
Public School Board members are elected by the public. School Board members represent the facets of the community members who elected them. An allotted time to respectfully present views should be provided.
COREY WILLIAMS
Candidate Information
Campaign Website URL: None
Email Address: OnCloudWilliams2015@outlook.com
Occupation/Vocation: Security and Escort Professional
Military Background (if any): US Army
Resident of Colorado Springs: 9 years
Political Leanings
As a candidate in the Colorado Springs nonpartisan municipal election, you are not officially associated with any specific political party. How would you describe your political leanings (socially, fiscally, etc.) and why do you define yourself in this way?
I’m a Conservative-leaning Libertarian. Army service shaped my views towards a balanced perspective. I just don’t agree with either side, and if you think your side is completely right, we need to have a talk or two. In the military, all that matters is completing the mission to get back to our families. We talk politics, but, in the end, we only care that we want our fellow soldier to get back to their family. That’s happiness! I believe we are a community of many communities, and that’s what we should lean into.
Your Experience and Vision
What experience (personal, professional, other) would you bring to your role as Colorado Springs Mayor that will benefit our city? What is your vision for being Mayor, and what do you hope to accomplish during your first year in office?
I was blessed to serve on the Board, having won by acclamation in 2019. No one knew who I was finishing my service at Fort Carson. My vision is to ensure students understand the value of their education, as we have many challenges for our elementary students. Some have not even been potty trained yet. Imagine trying to teach and help potty train as well. Building literacy at every grade level yields a byproduct of understanding all other subjects. Change is not overnight, but we’ve been working diligently. There is a slight trickle effect when making change. It is impossible to go from 0 to 100 in a single year. It may take 3 or 4. My story, “Unmatched.”
Improving Schools
What are the primary strengths and weaknesses of your district’s schools? How can your district make public school a more attractive choice for local families?
Our “Community Equity” pool is unmatched! When our parents get involved, we have access to so many resources! We have plenty of heart in my district, but we are the most diverse and poorest by financial standards. The state doesn’t provide enough, so we look within. Our students welcome all students and are our greatest resource in finding new opportunities. We have had the highest uptick in choice-in enrollment.
Curriculum
What types of curricula, including library books and materials, do you believe should be added or removed from your district’s schools? Why?
The physical library is becoming very scarce. There are far fewer books in libraries than when I was a student. I’m the youngest in Harrison’s history (28) and am now 32. The fear of a few books is a very blurred topic. I would love a town hall to explain each individual topic on each grade level.
Financial Stewardship
Depending on the size of their district, School Board Members decide how to spend $10s of millions of dollars, or even $100s of millions, in taxpayer money each year. How would you seek to prioritize the funds being stewarded by your district’s School Board?
We use our funds to ensure the children can function in the learning environment. Due to poverty in our district, we use funds to ensure that poverty or zip code is not the determining factor of their success; it’s their hard work that matters most. How dare I call my child the best when the child who competes with them hasn’t eaten or has less functioning equipment? When COVID hit, our story is amazing, and the story I could tell you might bring tears. Our budget is around 121 million, and we still have to write grants to fulfill the services our children deserve in our district. We earn between 5 and 8 million in grants annually.
Securing Constitutional Liberties
In recent years, established freedoms, including that of speech, peaceable assembly, exercise of religion, and medical autonomy, have been impacted by various mandates adopted by schools across America. As an elected representative of the citizens of your district, how would you seek to secure the Constitutional liberties of your schools’ students and staff?
Some of those mandates come from higher bodies of legislation that cannot be ignored. I know many people assume but are unaware of the true power the school board has or does not have. I will continue to allow whatever is needed to keep children in classrooms or involved in instruction through remote access. I have worn my Jesus is lord face mask publicly and, as a citizen, spoken at boards that are not my own about my faith beliefs and how they are cowards for their actions in the name of Christianity. I hurt feelings quite often.
Parental Role
What do you consider to be a parent’s role in a child’s education? Do you believe that any information about a student should ever be withheld from a parent?
WE NEED MORE PARENT INVOLVEMENT THAN EVER BEFORE!!! But we understand it’s because costs are high and our parents are working. So, we also need community members with the time to be with our students. It takes a village. Often, I see particularly with those who claim they’re of faith but never want to get involved. It’s effortless to get involved. Sign up, the schools run background checks, and there you have it. My story, my story, my story.
Sex Ed
Why do you support or oppose comprehensive sexuality education, including LGBT health and relationship information, in public schools K to 12? What are your positions regarding age appropriateness, curriculum transparency, and opt-out policies?
People misunderstand this subject. Anyone who comes to my district speaking on this issue has brought assumptions that when take the time to set aside to bring their expertise in, they do not show up, and it takes away from the learning environment. When children are entering pubescent ages, “The TALK” is appropriate. The sex talk for young children should only go as far as a child understanding that those parts of their body are private parts, and their parents should understand they truly have a voice. Letters go out when it is time to talk about those subjects, and you can opt in or out. We use seven channels of communication.
Gender Issues
Explain your positions regarding teaching and discussing gender issues in the classroom, including the use of “preferred pronouns”?
People’s Choice or, as it translates to schools, “Parents’ choice” is paramount. The gender issues are quite minuscule as I have 13,000 students and only 6 or 7 Trans-students. We have a policy that states we will inform parents of that student’s choice. It was requested we revisit the procedure in the past (very recently, this was due to concerns about the child’s safety at home), but we refused to make the change because our children feel safe enough to let us know if they are being abused. We have a great relationship with local law enforcement in such matters.
School Safety
As a School Board member, what will you do to help assure a safe and secure environment for both the students and staff of your district?
Last year, 86 percent of our students said they felt safe in their schools. This jump is huge from past years and opinions laid by surrounding communities. Using bond funds to renovate many of our schools, we rose from 70 cameras to well over 700 cameras in just the past 4 years. We also recently received a grant we applied for to boost our SRO operations. Our students feel safe to say something is wrong.
School Board Meetings
What do believe is the correct balance between the authority of School Boards and the rights of the public to present their views during School Board meetings?
Since becoming chair of the board, I have asked only two people to step away from the podium. We set boundaries for the conduct of speakers to maintain order in board meetings. We should be able to speak without beratement or personal attacks. We can disagree and have meaningful conversations.
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Voting is a simple, yet significant way to do something about public policy in our country. As people of faith, we will be held accountable for our actions, as well as our lack of action. (Luke 12:48)
Biblical worldview
By diligently learning, applying, and trusting God’s truths in every area of our lives, we can begin to develop a deep comprehensive faith that will stand against the unrelenting tide of our culture’s non-biblical ideas.
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The issues of the day change. Political parties and platforms change. God’s Word never changes. The vote of every Christian should be based on the principles of Scripture and not persuasive personalities.
Electing righteous leaders
Bad governance and our loss of freedom is the direct result of the church’s failure to disciple. When the citizenry do not seek to be obedient to God’s Law, they vote in wicked and corrupt candidates, who then trample underfoot the God-given liberties of the people.