Board staff brief candidates: how to apply for vacancy, November filing and campaign rules on district property
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Summary
Board and elections staff told prospective District 11 board candidates there are two routes — the November election and a short‑term vacancy appointment — plus rules restricting use of district resources in campaigns and guidance on facility rentals and sign rules.
Board and elections staff at a candidates orientation clarified two separate paths to serve on the Colorado Springs School District 11 board: running in the November coordinated election or applying for a temporary vacancy the board will fill for a short term.
Board staff said applicants for the temporary vacancy must submit an application packet (the board gave a filing deadline as "tomorrow around 05:00") and the six‑member board will publicly interview and select the appointee in a meeting scheduled the following Wednesday. By contrast, candidates for the November election must collect petition signatures and run in the coordinated election process.
The district’s designated election official summarized the Fair Campaign Practices Act and district policies governing campaign conduct. She warned that district resources — including funds, facilities, equipment, staff time and district email — may not be used for campaigning. "There is no use of district resources in your campaign," she said, and pointed candidates to district policies KF (non‑district use of facilities), KHE (distribution of campaign materials and yard signs on school property), KI (visitors) and GBEB (staff ethics).
She advised that district staff may endorse on their own time and off district premises, but cautioned against placing staff in a compromised position. Candidates who want to reach district families at school events were told to rent space through the district’s facility rental process; the official said she would follow up the next day about specific liability insurance requirements and rental contact (Janelle Johnson).
Board members also described time commitments and duties for elected members: expect weekly preparation and roughly 10–15 hours per week for meetings and work, more if holding an officer role, and an emphasis on school visits, community engagement and attending Wednesday meetings. Board materials, onboarding and policy documents are available on the district governance platform (Diligent), and candidates were encouraged to review the board operating manual and board‑superintendent working agreement that delineates roles and responsibilities.
The board will forward candidate application packets for the vacancy to all board members and notify applicants about the public interview schedule. Candidates were invited to request one‑on‑one time with the superintendent and board members to ask follow‑up questions.