Candidate Info
Englewood Schools will have 4 seats up for election in November 2021
The following persons have declared their intent to be a candidate and have achieved the required 50 signatures in time to appear on the ballot:
Four Year Term Candidates (3 Seats Available)
Julie Hoag
Englewood, CO 80110
julieforenglewoodschools@gmail.com
Website: www.julieforenglewoodschools.com
303-919-2333
Notice of Intent to be a Candidate
Colorado Secretary of State Tracer Detail
About Julie
Please share a bit about yourself.
I am a Colorado native, part time nurse at Swedish Medical Center, and full time mom to 5 kids currently. I'm also the proud wife of Englewood's Citizen of the Year, Nathan Hoag; Nathan and I care deeply for Englewood and have embedded our family in this beautiful town. I have been a mother to 26 children through foster care, adoption, and biology. I enjoy reading, climbing at Earth Treks, snowboarding, biking, and camping with my family.
Why are you running for school board?
I am a strong advocate for public schools, and even more so when it comes to our schools in Englewood. I have sent 8 children (and counting) to Englewood schools, and I see serving on the Board of Education as a wonderful way to serve the district I love so much. It would be a privilege with significant responsibility to be on the School Board, one that I would not take lightly. I want to ensure we cultivate diverse learning environments, making sure Englewood School District is a place where all students can thrive. I also want to care for the staff of Englewood Schools, making certain they have the resources they need to help our students succeed.
What makes you a good candidate for the Englewood Board of Education?
I am a strong candidate for the Englewood Board of Education because of my previous experience, and who I am at my core. In regards to experience, I spent the last two years on our District Accountability Committee (DAC), which is where my passion for Englewood Schools deepened even more. I was co-chair for DAC this past year where I was empowered to lead an amazing group of people through budget priority discussions, SAC (school accountability committee) reform, and more. Further experience comes from my everyday job of mothering. I do not believe that one necessarily has to have had children in order to be a good fit for the school board; however, I do believe my diverse experience in mothering will be a valuable asset. I have parented 26 children ages 0 to 15, of different races, and from all across the socioeconomic spectrum. I have parented LGBTQ children, children who have experienced homelessness, food insecurity, abuse, neglect, and a variety of other traumas, both acute and broad. I know what it’s like to fight for a child’s best interest despite the seemingly insurmountable task, and I will bring that same fight and tenacity to all kids in Englewood.
I also believe some of my core strengths make me a great candidate. I am a dedicated person; when I commit to something I give 100%. I will put in the extensive time needed to educate myself on the issues at hand. I recognize that the Board of Education works together to make decisions, and I am an outstanding team player. Listening is also a strength of mine, and I commit to listening to our school district as a whole: teachers, administrators, staff, students and parents. I love connecting with others, and plan to be available and visible to those in our district, as I am here to listen, learn and advocate.
With my previous experience on DAC, my passion for Englewood's students, and my particular experience mothering 26 children from different backgrounds, I believe I bring a unique voice to the table and would be a great fit for the Englewood Board of Education!
What are your hopes/goals for Englewood Schools? How do you plan to achieve them if you are elected?
I do have hopes and goals for Englewood Schools, however I also plan on listening and learning from others who are daily involved in the district in order to mold, adjust or add to my goals. I am one voice, and I want to hear from all voices represented in the district.
One hope I have for Englewood Schools is to increase student enrollment and retention. Student enrollment affects our budget and funding, and therefore I would like to find ways to decrease the number of students (about 30% in Englewood) who choose to go to a different school district. Initially I would like to gain community input on ways to move forward; I would like to hear what’s going well and what’s not going well, and find a way to dialogue with those who opt out and discuss what made them do so. From there we can find solutions to help keep more students in the district.
Another objective I have is to further the work started on diversity, equity and inclusion in our district. We have a diverse student population; I want all students regardless of race, ethnicity, ability, orientation, or socioeconomic background not only feel safe in our schools, but also genuinely welcome, knowing that they have the opportunity to succeed and thrive. We can do a lot in this realm, and we can start by providing more opportunities for education on this matter to our staff. I would like to also evaluate our hiring practices, and would like to see the demographics of our teachers reflect that of their students when possible.
Additionally, my goal is to equip our teachers and staff with the best resources possible. If fully resourced, we can help prevent teacher burnout and give our teachers what they need to guide our students and give them the best chance at succeeding. This would again involve active listening to hear what the teachers and staff feel they need. I would also do whatever I can within my power to ensure security and progress for teacher and staff compensation and benefits.
One overarching goal is to work as a team with the board members in order to properly care for the students and staff in our district. I believe each member will bring their own experience and background, and it will be important to be respectful and open to the other voices represented.
Steven Leflar
Englewood, CO 80113
sjleflar@gmail.com
Website: www.stevenforenglewood.com
303-981-2946
Notice of Intent to be a Candidate
About Steven
Please share a bit about yourself.
I am an Englewood Graduate (94), father to four children in the district, and husband to an amazing educator who teaches in Englewood. Two of our four boys have special needs and we are a neurodiverse family. My father, my brother, and other members of my family have attended Englewood Schools. I have spent the last 15 years serving in the United States Army as a helicopter crew chief and still serve proudly. I recently completed my third combat deployment. I am strongly connected to the City of Englewood though my years school system and being able to give back to my hometown has been one of the greatest joys of my life. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my family, hiking, climbing, camping, and eating Franks pizza!
Why are you running for school board?
My desire to run for a continued position on the school board comes from a place of caring for the community. I was impressed with the work the district had done to rebuild our schools before I was appointed to the board and I would like to continue the work of building a new tradition of excellence for our children.
What makes you a good candidate for the Englewood Board of Education?
I am a driven, passionate man. I was raised in Englewood and I am raising my family in Englewood, this is our home. I have spent two years serving this community on the school board already. I have grown and lead through collaboration to help guide us through unprecedented times. I am dedicated to the position and actively served on the board while deployed to the middle east. I am willing to listen to all positions on a topic and welcome feedback from all stakeholders whether positive of negative. I am an educator cheerleader, however I have high expectations. I give 100% to this position and will continue to serve, if the community desires, as such.
What are your hopes/goals for Englewood Schools? How do you plan to achieve them if you are elected?
My hopes and goals for Englewood Schools are to increase community engagement, ensure we are a district of equitable outcomes for all, and to develop a strategic board plan to fight for the funding we need to further enable our children's success. I plan on requesting to continue the community engagement work we started before Covid-19 to create better lines communication with our constituents. To achieve equitable outcomes for all students and staff I will continue to honor the commitment to this type of work that the current school board has already made and ensure that a lens of equity is applied to all policy and initiatives brought before the board. The funding piece will be the toughest goal that I have. My plan is to request a committee to be formed to create focus on lobbying our elected officials to help us fight for what is right for our children. This is not a fast process but is work that must be done for us to sustain the amazing progress and achievement of our district.
Andy Szekeres
Englewood, CO 80113
andyszekeres@gmail.com
Website: www.andyforenglewood.com
720-281-4691
Notice of Intent to be a Candidate
About Andy
Please share a bit about yourself.
I have always had a passion for building a better community everywhere I go. Making my home in Englewood, I have been inspired by the community and how we rally together to support one another.
I will bring extensive experience in community change, educational non-profits, and fundraising to the Englewood School Board and the school system. I have had the great honor to work with educational non-profits and political campaigns to support their fundraising goals, and helped them raise tens of millions of dollars to fuel their missions.
I currently work for the Denver Clerk and Recorder's office as a campaign finance administrator and live with my partner, Ryan, and our dog, Gabi.
Why are you running for school board?
I want to give back to where I live and play. I currently serve on the Englewood Library Board and want to give back by bringing my skills to the board. I am running for school board to help champion our educators, fight for our students, and ensure Englewood Schools continue to become education leaders in Colorado.
What makes you a good candidate for the Englewood Board of Education?
I feel I am a unique candidate for the school board because I am not a parent, so will come to the decision-making process with a different lens. I have a background in fundraising, business, and civil service.
What are your hopes/goals for Englewood Schools? How do you plan to achieve them if you are elected?
I want to work to support the educators, support staff, and district in continued growth in the performance of our students. We must better connect our schools with the community of Englewood to ensure the district has the support from every resident it needs.
While we must champion a college education, we must also teach students about trades that provide lifelong careers, a quality income, and reliable healthcare. These include trade apprenticeships with labor unions and other trade career paths.
You can see my full platform by visiting https://www.andyforenglewood.com/platform
As an elected official, it is critical that we put the needs of our youth and staff above any personal ideologies. I will work hand in hand with our educators, support staff, and district team to ensure every voice is represented at the table and viewpoints are heard before decisions are made.
Duane Tucker
4042 S. Pennsylvania St.
Englewood, CO 80113
http://duane4englewoodschools.
duane4englewoodschools@gmail.com
303-324-9027
Notice of Intent to be a Candidate
Colorado Secretary of State Tracer Detail
About Duane
Please share a bit about yourself.
I have lived in Colorado since I was two years old. I grew up in Douglas County, and earned my Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Colorado. Since 2014, I have been the Director Strategic Procurement at the University of Colorado. My family moved to Englewood in 2003, and have enjoyed every minute of living in this amazingly diverse city. My son and daughter have attended Englewood schools since Kindergarten, and are both currently students at Englewood High School. When not working, I am usually hiking, camping, bicycling, mountain climbing, snowshoeing, reading, or gardening.
Why are you running for school board?
I am a passionate supporter of public education. I want to make sure that the Englewood School District continues to provide the exceptional educational experience my children have been fortunate to receive. I am also passionate that public education in this country does not become further politicized, and receives the requisite funding to stay viable. On a more personal level, my first term on the Board allowed me to do some of the most meaningful work I have ever done. I am very much looking forward to doing the meaningful work again.
What makes you a good candidate for the Englewood Board of Education?
First, I feel my experience with the District positions me as a good candidate for the Board. I have been involved in Englewood Schools for 12 years. In 2009 I became a member of the Cherrelyn SAC. In 2010, I became the Cherrelyn representative on the District Accountability Committee. I remained in that role until 2011 when I was elected to the Englewood School Board. I served on the School Board from 2011-2015, and was President of the Board from 2013-2015. I also co-chaired the 2011 and 2016 Bond campaigns, which both passed. The result of the two bonds was that the district was able to rebuild/remodel all of the schools in this district. Since my term on the Board ended in 2015, I have remained very active in the district, including serving on the district’s Long Range Planning Committee, and am currently in the third year of my second stint on DAC. I also bring a solid understanding of the complex school funding and budget models, and legislation that pertains to public education.
Second, I have maintained positive relationships with the key stakeholder groups in the district for several years, including parents, staff, and district administration. These relationships will serve me well on the Board, and insure that all voices in the District are heard.
What are your hopes/goals for Englewood Schools? How do you plan to achieve them if you are elected?
My goal is for Englewood to be the school district of choice for students, staff, and families. There are many elements that need to be in place to be the district of choice. First, the district needs to be funded to a level that provides our teachers and staff all they need to create a comprehensive and impactful educational environment. I will advocate that district leadership partner with other districts to be a loud voice for adequate funding at the State level. Second, the district must engage in meaningful discussions to insure equity is robustly practiced within every aspect of the district. This will require honest, and sometimes challenging, conversations with all stakeholders, establishing a mechanism to identify existing equity gaps, and a way to measure progress. Third, the district needs to identify new ways to attract and retain Englewood students, and recruit and retain staff. To do so requires an innovative approach to promoting the unique strengths of the district, and continue working to create the best teaching, learning, and working environment.
Two Year Term Candidates (1 Seat Available)
Caty Husbands
Englewood, CO 80110
clillyg@gmail.com
303-328-7929
Notice of Intent to be a Candidate
About Caty
Please share a bit about yourself.
My family and I moved to Englewood eleven years ago from just outside of Yosemite Valley in California. My husband works for the National Park Service, which is what brought us to Colorado. When we were deciding where to settle in the Denver Metro Area, we chose Englewood because it was a small community that had an International Baccalaureate elementary school, Charles Hay World School. My children went to Charles Hay and then on to Englewood Leadership Academy where my youngest is in 8th grade. My eldest is currently a senior at Colorado’s Finest High School of Choice.
I have over twenty years of experience in the field of education. I taught World History at the college level for many years, and then transitioned to secondary education. During my career in secondary education, I have been fortunate enough to serve in several different capacities, as a teacher, an advisor, and an administrator. These experiences allow me to view our education system and our District through a variety of lenses to best support our staff, students, and community.
Why are you running for school board?
I have served on the Englewood Board of Education for the last four years, the last two of which as President of the Board. I am honored to serve with our current exceptional, dedicated Board. Working as a team, we ensure that our students, staff, and community have what they need to navigate these complex times. I look forward to continuing my work on the Board in order to provide experience, continuity, and a unique perspective. There is no greater honor than serving this community and continuing the work to provide education excellence.
What makes you a good candidate for the Englewood Board of Education?
My background as an educator, leader, and parent to students in the District provide me with a strong foundation in order to serve effectively. Four years on the Board provides me with an understanding of how Board policy and decision making works. I am also aware of the time commitment and have a proven track record of committing to that commitment. I lead on the Board through collaboration and consensus, which has contributed to the Board’s ability to work closely together to find common ground.
What are your hopes/goals for Englewood Schools? How do you plan to achieve them if you are elected?
I hope that we continue our current trajectory, and we will do this by emphasizing the following:
1-Social Emotional learning. The Englewood School District has consistently prioritized dedicating resources to ensure each school has full-time mental health staff on each campus. The impact of COVID has made it even more essential that we emphasize social-emotional wellness through everything we teach our students. In order to do this, we must ensure that our staff has the time and resources for planning and training.
2- Academic Excellence. The academics across Englewood Schools is at the strongest point I have ever seen. The AAI work provides the leadership training necessary to effectively use data to support staff and students in their learning. We will continue to work closely with the administration, in their collaboration with our teachers, to find the best curriculum available so our teachers can continue to focus on their ‘art of teaching’.
3- Equitable Outcomes. It is imperative that we continue to examine our district to ensure we are providing equitable access and outcomes for every student in the district. In collaboration with the Superintendent, we will examine our systems and make adjustments where necessary in order to best serve through the lens of equity. We will do this through training and addressing Equitable Outcomes hindrances in our standing work session Equity agenda item.
4- Teacher Retention- We have one of the highest rates of teacher retention across the Denver Metro Area. We do this by creating community culture, supporting excellent leadership at the school and district level, providing professional development and time to implement learnings, and compensating teachers to the best of our ability. We will continue to rely on the voices of our staff to come up with creative policies and practices so that our teachers feel appreciated and supported.
5-Fiscal sustainability. None of the above priorities can be accomplished without financial security. We are aware of the woefully inadequate funding for our education system. We must save money where we can and spend it where necessary. We do this in consultation with our District Accountability Committee and our Administration. I will continue to support our District in seeking out funding sources wherever we can find them. I will also continue through my advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels through the Colorado Association of School Boards.
Board Member Duties & Characteristics
Characteristics of a Board Member:
- desire to serve children and the community, and a strong belief in the value of the public schools
- ability to work as a member of a team, including an open mind and ability to engage in give-and-take
- willingness to spend the time required to become informed and to do the homework needed to take part in effective school board governance
- respect for the needs and feelings of other people, a well-developed sense of fair play and the ability to listen and communicate well
- recognition that the school district may be the largest business in town and that the board is responsible for ensuring that business is well managed
Board Candidate Qualifications
To be qualified to run for the Board of Education, a candidate must:
- Be a registered voter in the school district for at least 12 consecutive months before the election (November 2021)
- Not have been convicted of committing a sexual offense against a child
- Because school director elections are nonpartisan, candidates may not campaign as members of a political party.
IMPORTANT DATES
October 11, 6-8 p.m.: Candidate Forum at Englewood High School
November 2: Election Day.