Incumbents James Bulwan and Leila Baker and newcomer Christine Baker Sage are seeking four-year terms on the Ignacio School District Board of Education in the Nov. 4 election.
Unlike the larger Durango School District, Ignacio School District elects its board members at-large, without candidates running in individual districts.
The district will hold a meet the candidate forum from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Ignacio High School Auditorium. Each of the candidates are expected to be in attendance to answer questions. Attendees can also register in advance to attend the meeting over Zoom, but questions cannot be asked virtually.
Here’s more about the candidates:
Bulwan, running for a second term on the Ignacio school board, holds a master’s degree in organization management, and has worked in the energy industry for 35 years. Bulwan and his wife own and operate La Plata Lavender, LLC.
If elected, the top three initiatives Bulwan would pursue would be improving teacher hiring processes, retention and salary; acquiring more housing for teachers and staff; and improving student absenteeism and achievement in testing.
“I have really enjoyed my time on the school board, and (there are) many things we are working on that I’d like to see come to fruition with more time on the board,” Bulwan said.
Baker, running for reelection, is a graduate of Ignacio High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in cellular and molecular biology from Fort Lewis College. Baker also attended Fielding Graduate University.
Baker is a former educator with 10 years of classroom experience. She has taught special education, middle school math and high school science. She also worked as a part-time professor for Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, where she taught algebra and Microsoft Office courses. She is currently on the Ignacio Community Library Board of Trustees and the Southern Colorado Community Action Agency Board of Directors.
Baker originally ran for school board four years ago because she missed working with students and former colleagues, many of whom now teach in the district, she said.
The top three initiatives Baker would pursue if reelected would be continuing efforts to ensure Ignacio’s educators are able to live and work in the area, addressing attendance issues, and continuing to support and celebrate students and staff with her presence at school events and activities.
“I have enjoyed my first four years of service to our school district, (and) I have made it fun,” Baker said. “I am thankful to have been elected to serve on the school board, (and) have learned a lot and look forward to this next chapter.”
Baker Sage is a wife, mother, grandmother, former chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Southern Ute tribal elder, former Head Start teacher, former Ignacio Community Library employee and a graduate of Ignacio High School.
Baker Sage said her main reason for running for school board is to address what she sees as a lack of communication in the community.
“I believe with more communication there would be better involvement with our parents, guardians and students,” she said.
The top three initiatives Baker Sage would pursue if elected would be seeking more federal grants; supporting all students, parents and staff in the district; and communicating with the Ignacio community at large.
Baker Sage described herself as a strong advocate of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Missing and Murdered People, and said sharing information on the subject with students, parents, faculty and the community is important.
“I sit on many different boards, committees and a commission that I support,” Baker Sage said. “I want to provide the proper education for all students and not see a (school district) program that sets our youth up for failure. Let’s see them achieve, engage, empower and prepare all of our learners for the future.”
epond@durangoherald.com
