Dahlkemper won’t seek re-election to Jeffco school board

Lesley Dalhkemper, who makes up half of the Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education minority bloc, announced Sunday she won’t seek re-election in November.

She made the announcement on her public Facebook page.

“This fall, our daughter Grace will enter middle school. Middle school is a critical transition. [My husband] and I want to be fully present for her,” she said.

Dahlkemper also cited her work at the Colorado Education Initiative, an education nonprofit that works with schools and districts, as another reason why she won’t seek re-election.

Since the 2013 reconfiguration of the Jefferson County school board, Dahlkemper and her colleague Jill Fellman have become heroes to the teachers and parents who vocally oppose the board’s new conservative majority. Both women have been greeted with applause upon arriving at school board meetings.

“It’s an honor to work side by side with the finest educators, parents and students in Colorado,” Dahlkemper said in her statement. “In just a few weeks, we’ll celebrate the accomplishments of our high school graduates who inspire us and remind us that our future is in very good hands. We have much work ahead – addressing overcrowded schools; closing the achievement gap; ensuring all schools are engaging and inclusive; and fairly compensating our teachers to recruit and retain high quality staff.”

Fellman has not announced whether she’ll seek re-election.

Here’s Dalhkemper’s full statement:

Dear friends, It is often just one exceptional teacher who makes a difference in a student’s life. In Jefferson County, we have exceptional students and educators with strong support from families and community members. We know that great schools are the foundation of great communities. Our high school graduation rate has increased, while dropout and remediation rates have decreased. Several of our high schools appear on national “best of” lists every year. Jeffco teachers have been nationally recognized for their innovative work. Our students are solving real-world problems, even working with NASA to launch experiments in space. These results are thanks to collaborative leadership over the years grounded in setting clear goals, finding common ground and always placing children first. Since 2011, I have had the privilege of serving on the Jeffco school board. Our decisions affect the lives of more than 84,000 students and communities as diverse as Conifer, Edgewater and Westminster. Serving on the board of the second largest school district, working full-time in a leadership position for a statewide nonprofit, and being a good mom leave little time for anything else – let alone running a countywide campaign. This fall, our daughter Grace will enter middle school. Middle school is a critical transition. Mike and I want to be fully present for her. For these reasons, I have decided not to seek a second term on the Jeffco school board. My commitment to our schools will remain strong long after I leave the board in November. My role will just look a little different. It’s an honor to work side by side with the finest educators, parents and students in Colorado. In just a few weeks, we’ll celebrate the accomplishments of our high school graduates who inspire us and remind us that our future is in very good hands. We have much work ahead – addressing overcrowded schools; closing the achievement gap; ensuring all schools are engaging and inclusive; and fairly compensating our teachers to recruit and retain high quality staff. Above all, we have to listen – truly listen – to our community. Thank you so much for your support. It has meant more than I can say. With warm regards, Lesley