School financing is the biggest issue for the three Board of Education candidates in Jefferson County, the state’s largest school district.
“Future funding of public education in Colorado remains the biggest challenge,” said Dave Thomas, 59, of Arvada, who is unopposed in District 3.
Thomas served on the district’s citizen budget committee that helped prioritize cuts in 2002. “It was a real eye-opener,” he said.
The two District 4 contenders – Jane Barnes, 53, and Jeff Braa, 47, both of Lakewood – agree that money is a challenge.
“With increased graduation requirements, we want to offer a wide variety of electives and ensure students have enough math and science and foreign language, but how do we have enough dollars?” asked Barnes, who served one board term, with most of it as president.
Barnes, manager of senior programs for the St. Anthony Hospital system, said the new requirements will mean hiring an additional one to two teachers per high school.
Braa, an information technology specialist with Denver Public Schools and a former PTSA president, said, “Keeping the budget balanced” ranks high among district issues.
Other concerns, Braa said, include ensuring every articulation area has strong academic programs; hiring and retaining highly qualified teachers and administrators; keeping arts, sports and music available in all schools; providing a safe environment; and working with the county’s changing demographics.
Technology is vital, Braa said, adding, “Our communities are growing more diverse and varied in culture and language. Schools need to work with these changes and allow for students to be better equipped to face these changes.”
Changing demographics in Jefferson County, Barnes said, mean one in three students comes from poverty, doesn’t speak English as a first language or requires special education.
Thomas served 12 years as Jefferson County district attorney and is now executive director of the Colorado District Attorney’s Council.
Thomas said he has seen firsthand how education “affects so many other things. The single most important crime prevention tool we have is keeping kids in school, getting a high school diploma and having opportunities available.”
Ann Schrader: 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com
Profiles of Board of Education candidates
Dave Thomas, 59, of Arvada is unopposed in District 3. He served 12 years as Jefferson County district attorney and is now executive director of the state District Attorney’s Council.
Jane Barnes, 53, of Lakewood is running in District 4. She is manager of senior programs for the St. Anthony Hospital system.
Jeff Braa, 47, of Lakewood is running in District 4. He is an information technology specialist with Denver Public Schools and a former PTSA president.
