Bruce Cole: A Dedicated Educator Running for District 11 School Board
Bruce Cole, a candidate for School District 11, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for education to his campaign. Over the last 18 years, Cole has been teaching business, marketing, and computers at Doherty High School. Before entering the education field, he worked at pregnancy centers, installing ultrasound equipment, and served as a pastor.
Cole’s transition into education was marked by a pivotal moment on his first day teaching at Mitchell High School when a fight broke out in his classroom. A student reassured him, saying, “Mr. Cole, don’t worry, it isn’t you, this is normal.” This incident made Cole realize that the education system needed a different approach. He discovered that 62% of students in District 11 cannot read at grade level, prompting him to dedicate his career to doing “everything that isn’t normal.”
After retiring from teaching this year, Cole felt he had invested too many years combating the status quo to stop now. Following prayer and reflection, he decided to enter the race for SD11. Recognizing his need for support, as he lacks an extensive network, Cole is reaching out for help to amplify his message.
Academic achievement is a top priority for Cole. He believes that every dollar should be directed toward improving academic outcomes. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of building character in children, particularly the development of patriotism. Cole is critical of the current academic system, which he sees as being overly influenced by government and unions.
District 11 recently allowed its master agreement with the union to expire, a move that has drawn national attention. The National Education Association (NEA) is using D11 as a national site to attempt to regain control of the board. In the upcoming election, three good conservatives, including Cole, are running against three liberals.
Cole is also concerned about the uncontrolled growth of administrative positions within the district. He supports the current restructuring and consolidation efforts aimed at reducing the budget and redirecting funds toward academic achievement. He points out the issue of losing students while increasing the number of teachers without reducing class sizes. For example, when ESL students needed a computer credit, the union’s solution was to bring in a second teacher rather than address the underlying issue.
The new board is keen on starting new charter schools to stem the tide of students moving to other districts for better educational opportunities. The Colorado Springs Space and Technology School on Nevada Avenue is set to open this year.
Cole also provided updates on other district facilities. The Tesla building, a three-story middle school for at-risk students, is a good facility but underutilized due to declining enrollments. It was built in the 90s by Printer’s Parkway, near Union and Pikes Peak. He noted that different committees will each have a meeting room in this building.
For those interested in supporting Cole’s campaign, a training session for walkers is scheduled for August 16 at 8:00 AM at La Casita, located at Woodman and Rangewood. This event will cover both District 11 and District 20. Joel Sorensen will provide precinct-specific walk lists for precinct leaders.
Lastly, Cole mentioned that the search continues for candidates to run for the D12 Board.
Bruce Cole’s dedication to education and his commitment to doing things differently make him a compelling candidate for School District 11. His focus on academic achievement, character development, and fiscal responsibility resonates with those who believe in a brighter future for Colorado’s students.
