Colorado State Board of Education candidates | 2024 VOTER GUIDE (2025)

Table of Contents
District 3 District 4 District 8

Editor’s note: Active voter registration numbers are current as of Sept. 25, 2024, according tothe Colorado Secretary of State’s Office. The candidates' responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.

District 3

The 3rd district covers most of Colorado’s Western Slope and parts of Southern Colorado, including Pueblo County and the San Luis Valley. Its major cities are Grand Junction, Pueblo, Durango and Aspen.

Voter registration: Democrats: 110,158; Republican: 147,869; Unaffiliated: 235,914; Total active voters: 504,308

Colorado State Board of Education candidates | 2024 VOTER GUIDE (1)

Ellen Angeles

Party: Democrat

Website: EllenforColorado.com

Bio: A native of Toledo, Ohio, Ellen Angeles went to Whitmer High School and later earned degrees from Kent State, Western Colorado, and Colorado Mesa University. She also has served as an educator, banker and sales professional. She is a former teacher and a parent with a child in public school.

What are the most pressing issues that students face and how do you intend to solve them?

Students face major challenges like mental health struggles, unequal access to quality education, and limited online learning resources. Bullying, including cyberbullying, is a serious problem, and concerns about school safety add to their stress. These issues need better mental health support, fair funding, and modernized curricula.

I intend to address these challenges by advocating for mental health funding, ensuring equitable school resources, improving technology access, passing stricter anti-bullying laws, enhancing school safety, and modernizing curricula.

This will better prepare students for diverse careers and create a more inclusive, supportive learning environment.

Briefly describe your philosophy on education.

Public education is essential to create a fair and just society. Every child deserves access to quality, well-funded education, regardless of their background. Schools should promote critical thinking, creativity, and reflect the diversity of our communities. Teachers must be fully supported, well-trained, and fairly compensated. A strong public education system benefits both students and society by building a more informed and prosperous democracy. Good schools make for great communities.

Colorado State Board of Education candidates | 2024 VOTER GUIDE (2)

Sherri Wright

Party: Republican

Sherri Wright did not respond to the Colorado Politics questionnaire.

District 4

Colorado's District 4 covers Adams, Arapahoe, Baca, Bent, Cheyenne, Crowley, Douglas, El Paso, Elbert, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Larimer, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Prowers, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld and Yuma counties.

Voter registration: Democrats: 88,839; Republicans: 187,209; Unaffiliated: 254,254; Total active voters: 539,553

Colorado State Board of Education candidates | 2024 VOTER GUIDE (3)

Krista Holtzmann

Party:Democrat

Website:www.krista4kids.com

Education: Bacherlor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies, University of Missouri; J.D., University of Missouri

Bio: Krista Holtzmann grew up rural Missouri, where her mother was a teacher and her father served on the local school board. In the last 20 years, Holtzmann and her husband, a healthcare provider and small business owner, have lived in Parker, Colorado. She previously served on the Douglas County School Board and the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning Board.

What are the most pressing issues that students face and how do you intend to solve them?

Chronic absenteeism, the statewide teacher shortage, and student mental health challenges are critical issues affecting academic success. In 2023-2024, over 1 in 4 Colorado students were chronically absent, missing 10% of the school days. As a state board member, I will collaborate with school leaders, teachers, families, and community members to strengthen student connections to school, promote the importance of public education and the value of recruiting and retaining outstanding teachers. Additionally, I will advocate for continuing Colorado's efforts to alleviate student anxiety, depression and risk of suicide as documented by the CDPHE Healthy Kids Survey.

Briefly describe your philosophy on education.

Providing a high-quality education to each and every child is a community's most important responsibility. Public schools provide opportunities for all students to gain the knowledge and skills needed to reach their full potential. Public schools are also vital to our communities, preparing our workforce and often serving as the largest local employer. Finally, public schools are pillars of democracy, fostering informed citizens and promoting equality for all. As a state board member, I would be honored to support teachers, school leaders, staff, families, and community members in working together toward a common goal: helping every student succeed.

Colorado State Board of Education candidates | 2024 VOTER GUIDE (4)

Kristi "KBB" Burton Brown

Party: Republican

Website:kbbforcolorado.com

Education: J.D., Oak Brook College of Law and Government Policy

Kristi Burton Brown did not respond to the Colorado Politics questionnaire.

District 8

Colorado's 8th district stretches along Interstate 25, encompassing sections of Adams County, Larimer County, and Weld County. The largest population centers are Brighton, Commerce City, Greeley, Johnstown, Northglenn, and Thornton.

Voter registration: Democrats: 112,329; Republicans: 100,548; Unaffiliated: 220,299; Total active voters: 443,729

Colorado State Board of Education candidates | 2024 VOTER GUIDE (5)

Yazmin Navarro

Party: Republican

Website: YazminforColorado.com

Education: BA in English and MPA in Public Admin

Bio: Yazmin Navarro holds a degree in English and an MPA in public administration. She has worked with at-risk youth and served as an ELL coordinator. She has also worked with the U.S. State Department. She was raised by immigrant parents and is fluent in English and Spanish.

What are the most pressing issues that students face and how do you intend to solve them?

The most pressing issues students face today include the achievement gap in core subjects like reading and math, mental health challenges, and access to quality education. To address these, I will advocate for higher academic standards, expanded school choice, and increased mental health resources. By providing rigorous curricula and supporting students' well-being, we can help every child reach their full potential. Additionally, empowering teachers with the tools they need will create a stronger, more supportive educational environment, ensuring that all students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond.

Briefly describe your philosophy on education.

My philosophy on education is very simple: the goal of educators is to educate children in an approve atmosphere, free of indoctrination and politics. Our mission should be to help students reach their full potential, become productive members of society, and be globally competitive.

Colorado State Board of Education candidates | 2024 VOTER GUIDE (6)

Rhonda Solis (incumbent)

Party: Democrat

Website: Rhonda4cokids.com

Education:Diploma, Greeley West High School

Bio: Rhonda Solis currently serves on the State Board of Education. She has 30 years of experience in management, community outreach and customer service and she has served on several boards and commissions, including the 19th Judicial nominating commission, the City of Greeley Judicial review board, The Success Foundation District Board, the Greeley Dream Team Board and Greeley/Evans District 6 school board, where she served for two elected terms.

What are the most pressing issues that students face and how do you intend to solve them?

Most pressing issues facing students is recovering from Covid (attendance, social/emotional health/social media and getting caught up academically). We need to make sure school districts are fully funded so they can fund the tools and people needed to address these issues.

Do you support Amendment 80 regarding school choice?

I do not support Amendment 80 and will be voting no and encouraging everyone I know to vote no. We already have "choice" in Colorado and this amendment opens the door for vouchers and taxpayer money going to private schools. We have several rural districts in CD8 that I represent and tax payer money going to private schools will hurt them greatly.

Briefly describe your philosophy on education.

Every child in Colorado deserves a high quality education no matter what their zip code is. I have witnessed communities, Chambers, community leaders and families working together to provide opportunities for students and that is when the magic happens for kids. These kids are the future of our communities and they deserve a fighting chance. And thank you to everyone that works in schools from teachers, custodians, principals, cafeteria workers, front office, counselors and all the volunteers.

Colorado State Board of Education candidates | 2024 VOTER GUIDE (2025)
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