Term limits are up across many of Colorado Springs’ larger school districts, so big changes could be coming to local education’s leadership following the November coordinated election.

Candidates are vying for multiple seats in Colorado Springs D-11 and Academy D-20. Meanwhile, a lack of candidates in Harrison D-2 and Fountain-Fort Carson means those districts have settled their openings ahead of the Nov. 4 election.

School boards manage their district and schools by approving policies, curricula, budgets and other administrative procedures in cooperation with the district’s superintendent. Boards also set district educational goals that align with state law and reflect the values of their voting public.

Here are this year’s candidates:

D-49

In the region’s largest school district, two open seats are up this year, with incumbent board Vice President Jamilynn D’Avola running against former board member Ivy Liu and district parent Holly Withers. Current board President Lori Thompson is running against D-49 parent Chris Harrell.

Academy D-20

In D-20, six candidates are campaigning for three open seats. The terms for current board members Lauren Yanez, Nicole Konz and Susan Payne are up this November, with Payne the only one running for reelection. She was appointed to the board earlier this year following the resignation of Aaron Salt in March. Beyond Payne, Brandon Clark, Cynthia Halverson, Renée Ludlam, Jennafer Stites, Holly Tripp and Eddie Waldrep round out the list of candidates.

Colorado Springs D-11

Colorado Springs’ central district will see three new faces on its board, with seven candidates vying for the openings left by outgoing members Julie Ott, Sandra Bankes and Amanda Huber. Huber was appointed to the board last month after Lauren Nelson’s resignation, but is not campaigning for another term. LeAnn Baca Bartlett, Michael Carsten, Bruce Cole, John Gustafson, Charles Johnson, Jeremiah Johnson and Michelle Ruehl are all running for the open seats.

The League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region will host a candidate forum on Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. at The Citadel mall, Suite 2300.

Harrison D-2

The D-2 general election was canceled after candidates Janice Frazier, Michelle Wills-Hill and Emily Tamayo were found to be the only registered candidates for their respective races.

Widefield D-3

In Widefield, William Dolphin, Michelle Hubbard, Pamela Jones, Robin J. Jones and Luis Ybarra Jr. are seeking to fill the seats of outgoing board members David Dock, Greg Fischer and Donna Walsh. The League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region will host a candidate forum on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. at Widefield Parks and Recreation.

Lewis-Palmer D-38

In the Tri-Lakes area, Tim Bennett, Jackie Burhans and Ginger Schaaf are running to fill the seats of outgoing board President Tiffiney Upchurch and Vice President Kris Norris.

Fountain-Fort Carson D-8

Like Harrison D-2, the election for Fountain-Fort Carson’s school board was canceled after Loretta Kimball and Shirley Martinez were confirmed as the only two registered candidates for the two vacancies.

Manitou Springs D-14

In Manitou Springs, two candidates are seeking the two openings on its school board. Kelley Parker and Kimberly De La Harpe are the candidates for outgoing members Natalie Johnson and Christina Vidovich. Because of this, the candidate election will be canceled, but voters will still decide on a school bond referendum for district-wide facility upgrades.  

Cheyenne Mountain D-12

In Cheyenne Mountain, Janna Blanter, Kara Mehall, Jessica Lehman and David Schulz are looking to succeed outgoing Vice President Nissa Steinhour and Treasurer Randy Case. The League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region and Cheyenne Mountain Students of the U.S. Government and Politics Class will host a candidate forum on Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. in the Cheyenne Mountain High School Auditorium.

Calhan RJ-1

The northeast school district has Jim Elrick, David Hammond, Buckey Lobdell and Charlotte Trojanovich running for three at-large board seats.

Ellicott D-22

Farther east in Ellicott, Ryan Boone, Michael Ferguson, Amy Bautista, Alice Trulson, Amanda Kobilan are all running for open seats. The school district held a “Meet the Candidates” in coordination with the Ellicott High School homecoming barbecue on Friday. Before the football game, candidates met with staff, students, community members and current board members at 5 p.m. on the north side of Ellicott Middle School.

Additionally, The League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region will host a candidate forum on Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. The location for the forum is yet to be determined.

Hanover D-28

Hanover’s school district doesn’t have any applicants for its two vacancies. As such, there will be no vote on the November ballot and the Board of Education will conduct an appointment process in accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes.

Peyton 23-JT

The Peyton school district has three seats open and four candidates. Incumbents Buffi Cavanaugh and Kelli Marcus are running along with newcomers Rob Christian and Carrie LaFollette. The district held a “Meet the candidates” event on Oct. 7 at Peyton Elementary School.

Miami-Yoder 60-JT

Three seats on the Miami-Yoder district board are up this year, with one incumbent running against three new candidates. Current board member Jon Hogeboom is running against Ronny Burr, Samantha Berg and Daniel Carneal.

Edison 54-JT

In southeast El Paso County, three of the Edison school district’s four-year seats are open this year, with no incumbents running and only two candidates filing. They will automatically be elected and the current board will appoint a third board member. 

Woodland Park RE-2

In Teller County, six candidates are in the running for the Woodland Park school district’s three open seats. Carol Greenstreet, Laura Gordon, Kassidi Gilgenast, Bert West, Norman Michaels and Clayton Austin are all running to succeed Cassi Kimbrell, Suzanne Patterson and David Rusterholtz, whose terms are expiring.

Cripple Creek-Victor RE-1

Three board seats are up in the dual-town district in Teller County. Incumbents Donna Brazill and Stanley Conley are running for reelection and are joined by Amanda Young, Gary Moore and Kasie Hilfers-Garduno. Board President Mary Bielz’s term expires this year.