Susan Meek to run for reelection against Andy Jones

3 seats open

BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Four candidates have announced they will run for the Douglas County School District Board in the November election.

e school board has three seats up for election, including the district formerly represented by Elizabeth Hanson, who resigned in May, and two districts currently represented by Susan Meek and David Ray.

Meek, serving in District A, announced her re-election plans on June 1. District A covers the western part of Highlands Ranch.

Meek will face rst-term candidate Andy Jones, who is also a member of the Highlands Ranch Metro District Board of Directors.

Meek, who was originally elected to the board in 2019, said in a statement announcing her run for reelection that serving on the school board has been an honor and a privilege.

“I believe in the transformative power of education and the importance of an engaged and inclusive community,” Meek said. “I am committed to advocating for every student and ensuring that our schools provide an environment where they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.”

In a statement to Colorado Community Media, Jones said:

“After many years of service to my community in Douglas County, it continues to be a passion of mine to serve the students, parents, teachers, sta and stakeholders of DCSD. I’m looking forward to meeting, listening to and partnering with many of the good people of Douglas County throughout my campaign journey. “ e District C seat is currently empty since Hanson resigned abruptly on May 23. e school board has 60 days from their next meeting to appoint someone to ll Hanson’s spot until the November election.

In District C, the eastern part of Highlands Ranch, two rst-term candidates, David DiCarlo, and Bradford Geiger, have registered with the Colorado Secretary of State’s O ce to o cially run.

Geiger currently serves on the district’s Mill Bond Exploratory Committee and the Long Range Planning Committee, which have recently looked into long-term district funding, the need for new elementary schools and declining enrollment in Highlands Ranch.

“I am strongly in favor of consistent competitive funding for teachers and sta and to maintain older schools and build new schools,” Geiger told Colorado Community Media in a statement.

“My goal is to help the board work together to address these important concerns without rancor and avoiding outside political in uence. All students in Douglas County deserve a school district and a school board focused solely on their education and welfare.”

DiCarlo said he joined the race because he would like to see the district focus on nancial responsibility.

“I’m running because Douglas County parents and those on fixed-incomes are already struggling to pay the inflated cost of food, health care, and other bills, and it’s unconscionable that this school board and some candidates want to hike our taxes even more,” DiCarlo said in a statement. “We need to explore new approaches and not further burden the taxpayers by asking them to throw more money at an already-shrinking system.” e deadline to le as a candidate in the school board race is Sept. 5.

In District F, Ray has reached his term limit and cannot run for reelection. As of June 2, no candidates have been announced in District F, which represents the southern part of Parker and the Pinery. ough the candidates must live in the region they represent, school board members are elected by district voters at-large.

Douglas County Government O ces closed Monday,

June 19,

for the Juneteenth Holiday

Many services are available at DoItOnlineDouglas.com

E-recycling: Saturday, June 10

Douglas County residents may dispose of unwanted electronics free of charge at Techno Rescue, 3251 Lewiston St. in Aurora, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and occasional Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proof of residency is required. For a list of acceptable items, Saturday drop-off dates and more, visit douglas.co.us and search electronics recycling

Your Douglas County Fair & Rodeo is just around the corner

Looking for unique food options, star-studded country music and vintage cars all in the same place this summer? Visit the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo from July 28 to August 6. To purchase tickets and view the schedule, visit FairandRodeoFun.com

What’s happening with your County government?

Our commitment to open and transparent government includes online posting of information about public meetings at which the business of government is conducted. To view public meeting agendas, participate in-person or remotely, or watch select meetings, visit douglas.co.us and search for Business Meetings.