Candidates for the Board of Education must:
- Be a resident of Durango School District 9-R
- Be a registered voter for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the election
- Be a resident of the district in which they are a candidate. Boundaries may be viewed here.
- Not have been convicted of a sexual offense against a child
- School board director elections are nonpartisan; candidates may not campaign as members of a political party
To begin the process of becoming an official candidate, people may pick up printed packets in person at the District Administrative Office, 201 E. 12th St. The packets will be available beginning Aug. 9, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the front desk. Any person who would like to be a candidate for the office of school director on the Board of Education must file a nomination petition signed by at least 50 eligible electors from throughout the school district. The nomination petition must be filed by Sept. 1, 2023 at 4 p.m. in person at the District Office.
Those who are interested in becoming a candidate may attend the Board of Education Candidate Information Night, which will be held Aug. 16 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Durango Public Library. Attendees will have a chance to ask questions and learn about the process and timeline of running for a board seat. For more information, visit the board election page on the district’s website. To learn more about running and serving on a school board, visit the Colorado Association of School Board’s “Built to Serve” page.
“The office of school board director is a significant and challenging commitment,” said current board member Rick Petersen. “The investment of effort in the future of our students and community makes the experience that much more rewarding."
School boards are local policy makers, and the policies they set have the force of law at the local level. The guidance and control that the board provides through its policies is critical to the successful operation of the school system and to setting a direction for staff. According to the Colorado Association of School Boards: “Good school systems begin with good school boards. And the quality of a school board depends, to a considerable extent, on the interest taken by citizens. Just like municipalities, community service agencies and other worthwhile nonprofit institutions, public schools depend on effective citizen leaders for their success.”