Almost a month into the search, no candidates have stepped forward to fill a vacancy on the Durango School District Board of Education.
The seat became vacant in early January after board member Katie Stewart resigned.
The open seat represents District D, which has historically been difficult to fill, despite covering much of downtown Durango, board members Andrea Parmenter and Kristin Smith said.
“This district has been particularly difficult to find people to run for in an election, and difficult to find enough people to appoint,” Smith said. “We’ve never had seven or eight people come out for this particular district, for an election or for an appointment or interviews.”
Parmenter and Smith hosted a Zoom Q&A on Friday for potential candidates – but no one attended.
The District D seat – with a term running through November 2027 – has gone uncontested in recent election and appointment cycles.
Stewart was first appointed in September 2021 to replace Parmenter, who moved outside District D boundaries.
Stewart ran unopposed in 2023. Because there was no opposition, the election was canceled and she was sworn in.
She resigned Dec. 31 to focus on her legislative work with Colorado House District 59, a role she began in January 2025.
Under state law and Colorado Association of School Boards guidance, midterm vacancies must be filled by appointment.
The board declared the vacancy Jan. 13, which started a 60-day deadline to fill the seat.
If no candidates come forward by the end of the 60-day window, board President Kristen Smith may conduct interviews and appoint someone herself.
However, candidate interviews must remain public at all times, even if Smith proceeds alone, she said.
If no applications are received by Feb. 20, the board will discuss next steps at its Feb. 24 meeting at the Impact Career Innovation Center, Smith said.
Smith said the challenge of filling school board seats isn’t unique to Durango. It is challenging in other rural areas where the cost of living is high and people are working multiple jobs to make ends meet, she said.
Smith said the board may consider redrawing district boundaries if the vacancy persists.
The board must reconsider district boundaries anyway in advance of the opening of Three Springs Elementary School, planned for 2028. Smith said that may be a good time to re-evaluate how director districts are drawn – especially District D, which remains hard to fill due to its high cost of living.
How to apply
Eligible candidates for the Durango School District Board of Education District D seat must submit a letter of interest by Feb. 20 to schoolboard@durangoschools.org.
According to the district, letters should address:
- Why the candidate wants to serve
- Relevant experience
- Confirmation of residency in District D
- A statement about the candidate’s commitment to Durango School District students and governance
- Proof of at least one year as a registered elector of Durango School District
For more information, visit the board vacancy informational page at bit.ly/3NZibYp
Smith and Parmenter said the board is looking for a few key attributes in District D candidates.
Those include prioritizing students in policy decisions, being a team player, holding a long-term vision for the district, listening well, showing humility, accepting accountability, attending public meetings, staying organized and committing 10 to 15 hours per week.
While serving on the board can be demanding – especially during contentious issues – it’s also deeply gratifying, Smith said.
“Oh my goodness, the students – watching their successes (is so rewarding),” she said.
Parmenter encouraged anyone in District D who wants to make a difference to apply.
“Put your hat in the ring,” she said. “... It’s really rewarding work.”
epond@durangoherald.com
An earlier version of this story had Kristin Smith quoted as saying, “Put your hat in the ring. ... It’s really rewarding work.” That quote should have been attributed to Andrea Parmenter. The error was made in editing.
