Dear Editor,

Elections often come down to one question: Do we want strong leadership or weak leadership guiding our schools?

Our opponents have said they would have kept every school open and dipped into the district’s reserves to pay teachers. That may sound nice on the surface, but in reality, it would have left the district unstable and unprepared for the future. Once reserves are gone, they’re gone. And keeping under-enrolled schools open drains resources from classrooms where they’re truly needed. That’s not leadership; it’s avoiding hard choices.

Much of the misinformation in this election is coming directly from our opponents, who are backed by the Colorado Education Association. The CEA has endorsed them and is pouring money into their campaigns. Voters should take note.

The CEA has made it clear: Anyone who disagrees with their political and social agenda is considered “dangerous.” Their focus is not on better education for students; it’s on advancing social-justice causes and protecting their own interests. Don’t just take my word for it. Read it yourself at ColoradoEA.org under the “Advocacy” section.

This outside union influence should concern every voter. The CEA doesn’t have to live with the consequences of drained reserves or reckless financial decisions – we do.

Andrea Haitz, Will Jones and Angela Lema have proven they won’t bow to outside pressure. They’ve made the tough calls to protect students, staff and taxpayers. Colorado’s education funding isn’t getting better anytime soon, which means the road ahead requires strong leadership, not weak promises.

We cannot afford to let outside interests dictate the future of our schools. We need leaders with the backbone to put education, not politics, first. Andrea, Will and Angela have proven they are those leaders.

Stand with Andrea, Will and Angela. Stand with strong leadership. Stand for our schools.

Thank you,

– Ruth Kinnett, Grand Junction