“If you want something done, ask a busy woman.” Lucille Ball popularized that wisdom, and Rep. Katie Stewart exemplifies it. Stewart tendered her resignation from the Durango School District Board of Education last week, effective Dec. 31 (Herald, Dec. 12). We’re surprised she stayed as long as she did. Serving in the Legislature is demanding. Connecting with constituents across Archuleta, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan counties is demanding. Being a mother of five, a wife, friend, sister and daughter – all demanding.
Yet Stewart managed it all with organizational skills honed through collaborative leadership. She built bridges, mediated conflicts and kept her eye on long-term outcomes that benefit everyone – precisely the skills that made her an effective school board member.
Stewart served four-plus years on the board, contributing to significant achievements: a 95% graduation rate, top rankings among rural Colorado districts, closing opportunity gaps and progress on sustainability, STEM education, concurrent enrollment and educator cost-of-living improvements. True to form, she credits the collaborative work of Superintendent Dr. Karen Cheser, the executive team, educators and fellow board members. “There isn’t much that’s been uniquely mine in this work,” she said.
Stewart’s impact runs deeper than any single initiative. She is a fourth-generation Durangoan who attended public schools herself and now raises five children in her grandmother’s home. All five have attended Durango schools at some point, giving Stewart firsthand understanding of our community’s challenges. Witnessing inadequate K-12 funding was part of what drove her to run for state office, knowledge she now brings to the State House Education Committee as she prepares for her second session.
Stewart will continue fighting for adequate funding so every Colorado student gets the education they deserve. The Herald’s editorial board thanks Stewart for her service and is confident she’ll do even more for Southwest Colorado with her sole focus on the Legislature and the same collaborative spirit that made her an effective board member.
The board will declare the vacancy at its Jan. 13 work session and has 60 days to appoint a new District D member. Interested community members should watch for application details.
