About Jackie
My husband and I moved to Monument in 1992. I got involved with the Lewis Palmer school district when our son started Kindergarten at Lewis-Palmer Elementary School and stayed connected after he graduated from Palmer Ridge High School in 2017. I have always been an advocate for the unique role the district plays in the wider community. Nothing means more to the small-town life in the Tri-Lakes area than Lewis-Palmer schools do.
I jumped into volunteering in the classroom, serving on the PTO and on fundraising committees, doing band and robotics mom duties and volunteering for After Prom the year my son graduated. I’ve been a member of the Building Accountability Advisory Committee for Palmer Ridge High school and the District Accountability Advisory Committee—now called the Parent and Community Advisory Committee, a forum to discuss issues facing the district and review policies. I was a partner on the Career and Technical Education pathway. I served on ongoing and ad hoc task forces that addressed the future of Grace Best, arts education and consent.
I have also worked with non-profits such as Great Education Colorado to advocate at the state level for improving education funding and teacher pay. I went to the state capital with other Lewis-Palmer representatives for Superintendent’s Day and I worked on MLO and bond campaigns.
I administer a Facebook group called Lewis-Palmer D38 Education Community, a forum for local state and national issues, large and small and a bridge to the families in our community that don’t have students in district schools. As a volunteer reporter with Our Community News, I have reported on D38 and Monument Academy board meetings and on school events. I live blog D38 board meetings on my Facebook group.
In addition to my advocacy for public education, I had a long career in corporate America that included roles as a systems analyst, corporate trainer and a software product manager for Informix, IBM and Rocket Software. My husband and I ran a managed service I.T. business for several years. Currently I’m the Facility Specialist and I.T. Liaison at Tri-Lakes Cares, a local resource center for neighbors in need.
Why I'm Running
I'm running for the D38 school board because I believe in and support the value of public education. My long commitment to D38, background in technology, and 10 years as a reporter for a local newspaper have given me a unique perspective on our community and our schools. I will listen, strategize and implement policies that benefit all students and families.
Valuing Educators
D38 educators help students develop a love of learning, navigate challenges, and find their path; they elevate and accelerate the success of our graduates. D38 teachers produce exceptional results and deserve respect and compensation that reflect their results. Every organization says its people are its greatest assets; great organizations demonstrate that value through action.
Championing Educational Choices
Core subjects build a strong foundation. A range of educational choices that give students a chance to discover their interests and abilities gives every student a chance to shine. Sports, arts, STEM, dual college enrollment, and business internships, along with electives and enrichment, take that to the next level.
With a first-hand appreciation for the benefits beyond school, I will champion expanding choices and opportunities within our school to open up the possibilities beyond graduation. The district’s Career Innovation Center, scheduled to open soon, is a great example of additional choices deepening a student’s educational experience.
Building Bridges to the Community
Only 30% of Tri-Lakes families have students in PK-12+ schools at any one time. But 100% of families have a vested interest in educating our future doctors, artists, military service members, inventors, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
D38 has strong partnerships with local businesses and leaders in Monument, Palmer Lake, and Woodmoor.
I will foster communication between the school district and the broader community and will advocate for the value of public education to our children, our neighbors, and our country. I am committed to raising community awareness and engagement about the future of our schools.