The race is on for the Durango School District Board of Education (Herald, Aug. 10). Seats currently held by Erika Brown, Rick Petersen and Andrea Parmenter are up for grabs in the Nov. 4 election, and only Brown has indicated an interest in running again.
Serving on the local school board used to be relatively low-profile. Not exactly sleepy, but centered on practical, local concerns rather than ideological battles. Budgets and taxes, facilities, curriculum standards, hiring, student services, and community relations dominated debates, as they still do today.
But since 2010, when the Tea Party movement encouraged more conservative candidates to run for office at all levels – including school boards – and especially after 2020, when far-right candidates mobilized around COVID-19 mandates and closures, ideological rhetoric has escalated in school board races.
As Board member Brown said, “I would really like the focus to be on the students … and helping our communities thrive …” The Herald’s editorial board agrees. We hope this year’s election centers on the issues of greatest concern to students – their daily lives and future opportunities.
We suspect mental health support and access to counseling remain high on the list, alongside school safety and preventing gun violence. College and career readiness – affording higher education, finding internships, and exploring trades – also likely ranks as a priority. Durango students reflect their parents’ concern about climate change and sustainability. And, as shown in their support for reinstating the Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ pride flags in District schools (Herald, Jan. 29), they care deeply about fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion so all classmates feel respected. Notably, the flag dispute began with a single parent complaint that did not reflect the views of students.
Yet, political messaging has already crept into this race. Earlier this month, some community members received a text and survey declaring “Durango 9R is in crisis.” It cited “37 child victims, an indicted teacher, boys in girls locker rooms, and failing test scores.” The district responded: “As required by Colorado law, our district conducts thorough CBI and FBI background checks on all employees before they work with students. Last year’s case of a former teacher’s conduct was handled swiftly by law enforcement and the courts, and it does not define our district … We all care deeply about our children, ensuring their safety, supporting their learning, and preparing for a smooth, positive start to the school year,” said district spokesperson Karla Sluis.
With DSD’s recent move to make it easier for the public to comment during board meetings via online sign-ups and virtual comments (Herald, Aug. 15), there will be expanded opportunity before November for students, families, and community members to voice concerns.
As campaign season unfolds, it’s easy for rhetoric and outside agendas to drown out what matters most. But Durango’s students’ priorities should get the most attention. The school board exists to serve them. The true measure of this election is not who scores political points, but how well our schools prepare young people to thrive.
