JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo — Three union-backed candidates who ran together under the Jeffco Kids slate were leading in election returns for the Jefferson County School Board.
Residents who live in the Jeffco Public Schools district were selecting three members for its Board of Education on Election Night.
The board has a total of five seats. The three open seats are in Director District 1 (north Arvada, Westminster area), Director District 2 (mountains, west central Lakewood), and Director District 5 (south). All Jefferson County voters will vote on all candidates, choosing one per director district.
Seven candidates are running for the three seats, and none of them are incumbents.
The results are below:
Candidates Mary Parker (District 5), Paula Reed (District 2), and Danielle Varda (District 1) were running together under the Jeffco Kids slate. They had the backing of the Jefferson County Education Association (JCEA), and according to their slate page want to prioritize the following:
- Expand career pathways with increased apprenticeships and job training programs.
- Develop strong neighborhood schools across Jeffco.
- Attract and retain high-quality educators.
Theresa Shelton (District 2), Kathy Miks (District 5), and Jeff Wilhite (District 1) were running under a conservative slate and seek improved financial management of the district’s budget, as well as protection of school choice. All three were endorsed by the Colorado GOP.
Candidate David Johnson (District 2) said on his website that he supports fiscal responsibility and would like to see more focus on mental health staff in schools.
The district has a new superintendent and has been at the center of some pandemic-related measures, including masking in schools. In August, a day before school started, the district announced that masks would be required, which came after Jefferson County Public Health issued a requirement.
The district is also seeing staff shortages that have led to cuts in bus and lunch services.
To get more election results, go to 9news.com/elections.
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