New school boards must now deliver real results for Latino students

This past election, voters elected seven of the eight school board candidates endorsed by Voces Unidas Action Fund. Those leaders have now taken the oath of office and stepped into roles that carry enormous responsibility. They inherit school systems where Latino students continue to face deep, persistent achievement gaps compared to their white peers. Their mandate from our community is clear: move from rhetoric to results and transform our school districts into places where Latino students can — and will — thrive.

Mesa County Valley School District 51

Voters elected Kaci Cole and Vicki Woods, both now sworn in and ready to govern. They join José Luis Chávez, the first Latino board member elected as Board President, with Vicki Woods now serving as Vice President.

This new leadership fundamentally shifts the board’s power dynamics. Our expectation is straightforward: end the ideological fights and put student success at the center. Every school in District 51 must become a welcoming, rigorous, opportunity-rich environment where students can succeed without barriers.

Garfield Re-2

In Garfield Re-2, voters chose Steve Beaulieu to represent District E. He has now taken office.

We expect Director Beaulieu to stay focused on what matters most — students. His leadership can help the board prioritize the needs of all students, especially Latino students who have long been underserved in this district.

Roaring Fork School District

In Roaring Fork, Tamara Nimmo and Kathryn Kuhlenberg have been sworn in, joining a board composed entirely of Voces Unidas–endorsed members. Lindsay Defrates now serves as Board President, Kathryn Kuhlenberg as Vice President, and Jasmin Ramirez as Secretary/Treasurer.

A fully endorsed board means the district has no excuse not to pursue bold, transformational work. This board must deliver on their commitments to our community to once and for all eliminate the Latino–white achievement gaps. 

Summit County School District

In Summit County, voters elected Kimberly Dyer and Whitney Horner, both now sworn in and positioned to influence key decisions that shape the futures of Latino students and their families.

With their leadership, Summit County can now invest in real progress. We expect this board to reject extremist agendas and remain laser-focused on eliminating the achievement gap with urgency.

Elections are only the starting line. Voces Unidas will continue to hold every district accountable through our Accountability Report Cards, which evaluate the quality of education, human capital, parent power, and governance and leadership. Every school board should be striving for an “A.”

Seven of our eight endorsed candidates are now seated and ready to govern. The next chapter begins here. Voters delivered new leaders; now those leaders — alongside the communities they serve — must turn that mandate into measurable, transformational progress for Latino students.