D20 and D11 School Board Candidates Address Community Concerns Ahead of November Elections
School District 20
As the November school board elections approach, candidates from Districts 20 and 11 gathered to share their visions and address pressing educational issues. The meeting, attended by conservative candidates Holly Tripp and Susan Payne from D20, along with their campaign managers Joel Sorensen and Kris Garofalo, provided a platform for community engagement. The third D20 candidate, Dr. Eddie Waldrup, a psychologist at the VA, was unable to attend as he was committed to seeing patients.
Holly Tripp: A Focus on Education and Community
Holly Tripp, a military wife whose children attended D20 schools, brings her experience in education and small business to her candidacy. Her involvement in classroom storytelling has given her a firsthand look at the educational environment. Tripp’s campaign is driven by her belief that every child deserves a quality education, emphasizing the importance of school-parent partnerships for student success. Her primary goals include ensuring that children read at grade level, teaching effective communication skills, and keeping educational content developmentally appropriate.
Tripp expressed her commitment to supporting teachers, stating, “I interact a lot with teachers; it is a hard job. My goal is to support the teachers and equip them with the tools they need. We want to keep our good teachers and create strong schools and communities.” She advocates for a phone-free environment in schools, citing D11’s policy of using phone pouches during the day as a successful model. Tripp believes that phones detract from both relationships and education. She also argues that Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) should be the responsibility of parents, with schools providing counselor services and family support when necessary. She supports limiting the use of iPads and computers in elementary schools and stated that grooming is a reportable offense to law enforcement. Additionally, Tripp believes that issues of transgenderism should be addressed in the home rather than in schools.
Susan Payne: Prioritizing School Safety and Local Control
Susan Payne, who replaced Aaron Salts earlier this year in D20, is running to fill her seat with a focus on school safety. As a member of a law enforcement family and a Colorado Springs Police Officer, Payne has been instrumental in implementing 911 medical enhancements over the phone. Her expertise in school safety led her to found Safe to Tell before the Columbine tragedy, creating safe communication channels for students and teachers. Payne has investigated numerous school shootings nationwide, including Columbine and Sandy Hook, and anticipates involvement in the recent church shooting in Minnesota. Her son serves in the Air Force as a pilot on Air Force One.
Payne’s commitment to school safety was bolstered by the 2007 D20 bond, which funded the placement of armed police in every school, a policy implemented this year. She plans to conduct exit interviews with teachers and staff to understand the reasons behind staff turnover. Addressing issues such as men in women’s sports and grooming, Payne emphasized the importance of local control, stating, “we need to maintain local control; we have a battle on our hands, and it starts in our schools. We need to counteract the false narratives in our community.” D20’s policy aligns with her views, making grooming and men in women’s sports reportable to the police.
Steve Schlieker, a friend of Payne’s who attended the meeting, vouched for her character. Having known Payne for 20 years and having been her daughter’s first soccer coach, Schlieker praised her as a “true conservative.” Their daughters grew up together through soccer and volleyball, fostering a strong bond between the families.
When asked about the use of antidepressants (SSRIs) among shooters and their appropriateness for teens, Payne acknowledged the issue and stressed the importance of educating families after hours. D20 has joined a lawsuit with other Colorado school districts regarding Fairness in Sports, opposing the state’s push to allow transgender individuals to participate in women’s sports, which they argue violates Title IX. CHASSA holds an opposing position on this matter.
A question about inappropriate books in school libraries was addressed by Payne, who shared that a new policy implemented over the summer allows complaints to be filed with the Board for investigation. She is eager to see the outcomes of this new approach.
Dr. Eddie Waldrup: Building Resilience in Students
Though unable to attend the meeting, Dr. Eddie Waldrup, a psychologist working with veterans at the VA, is running for D20 school board with a focus on building resilience in students. His goal is to instill self-belief in children, and he is fully equipped to serve the community in this capacity.
From left to right: Michelle Ruehl (D11), Jeremiah Johnson (D11), Susan Payne (D20, and Holly Tripp (D20).
School District 11
D11 School Board Candidates Discuss Key Issues and Visions
In the lead-up to the upcoming school board elections, candidates for District 11 (D11) have been actively engaging with the community. Three weeks ago, Bruce Cole shared his platform, and this week, Michelle Ruehl and Jeremiah Johnson took the stage to outline their positions and respond to questions from attendees.
Jeremiah Johnson: A Veteran Educator with a Focus on Improvement
Jeremiah Johnson, who has dedicated 15 years to the district, emphasized his commitment to supporting classroom staff and improving student test scores. With his background in the Colorado Air National Guard and experience working with expelled students, Johnson brings a multifaceted perspective to the table. He is keen on implementing strategies that will enhance educational outcomes and support teachers in their vital roles.
Michelle Ruehl: A Diverse Background and a Strong Voice for Change
Michelle Ruehl, originally from Michigan, brings a wealth of experience to her candidacy. With 21 years of service in the Air Force, including four assignments in Colorado Springs and a retirement from NORAD, Ruehl has a deep connection to the area. She has been retired for four months and is involved in equine therapy. Ruehl, a mother of two young children ages 6 and 8 who attend Colorado Christian School, shared a recent incident at Palmer High School that raised concerns about gender-neutral bathrooms. She recounted how her independent daughters went to the bathroom during a school meeting with her following them. The bathroom door was labeled as an “all gender bathroom,” only to find it was a men’s bathroom with urinals. Ruehl texted a picture of the bathroom to the Superintendent, appalled that a man followed her daughters into the same bathroom. The Superintendent was not aware of the bathroom labels.
Ruehl’s experience teaching girls in Afghanistan, where she noted their reading skills surpassed those of some students in D11, underscored her commitment to educational excellence. As an English professor at the Air Force Academy, she brings a strong academic background to her candidacy.
Addressing Recent Legislation and Community Concerns
Both candidates addressed a new law passed in August 2023, HB23-1057, which mandates gender-neutral bathrooms in new constructions with multiple stalls. Additionally, they discussed the release of juvenile defendants with mental health problems, including violent offenders, under the El Paso County (EPC) system. The candidates noted that Attorney Generals are pushing for a special session, but with the current political climate dominated by liberals, they believe it will not be effective. They suggested presenting bills in January as a more viable approach.
Empowering Parents and Elevating Student Success
A key theme for both Ruehl and Johnson was the empowerment of parents, which they see as crucial to student success. They ranked this as the second most important factor in achieving positive educational outcomes. Both candidates stressed the importance of working to raise student scores, noting that among the six candidates running for D11, three are educators who bring direct experience to the challenge of improving educational standards.
As the election nears, the candidates for D20 and D11 continue to engage with the community, sharing their visions and addressing the concerns of voters.
For those interested in helping with the School Board campaigns, every Saturday at 8:00 AM between now and the election can meet at La Casita Mexican Grill, 3725 East Woodman for campaign material and training for walking neighborhoods.