Jeffco Public Schools

On November 7, 2023, Jeffco Public Schools will have two of its five Board of Education seats open for election:

• Director District 3 (Arvada, Wheat Ridge, north-central Lakewood)
• Director District 4 (central/south-central Lakewood, Edgewater)

All Jefferson County voters will have the opportunity to cast their vote for up to one candidate per director district.

Requirements for School Board Candidates

• Must be registered to vote.
• Must be a resident of the director district in which running for office.
• Must not have been convicted of a sexual offense against a child.

Official Candidates

Director District 3: Four-year term ending 2027

• Michelle Applegate
  • Learn more about Michelle Applegate
  • Notice of Intent to be a Candidate
• Thomas Wicke
  • Learn more about Thomas Wicke
  • Notice of Intent to be a Candidate

Director District 4: Four-year term ending 2027

• Amara Hildebrand
  • Learn more about Amara Hildebrand
  • Notice of Intent to be a Candidate
• Erin Kenworthy
  • Learn more about Erin Kenworthy
  • Notice of Intent to be a Candidate
• Joel Newton
  • Learn more about Joel Newton
  • Notice of Intent to be a Candidate

Candidate Forums

• September 20, 7:30 a.m.: West Colfax Community Association, The HUB, 6501 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, CO 80214

• September 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Jeffco PTA and the Jefferson Unitarian Church Community Action Network.
  • Location: Jefferson Unitarian Church, 14350 W. 32nd Ave, Golden, CO 80401
  • Attend virtually: watch the livestream.

• September 27, 6:30-8 p.m.: Jeffco Consortium of Charter Schools
  • Location: Addenbrooke Classical Academy, 3940 S. Teller St., Lakewood, CO 80235

• October 11, 4:30 p.m.: Jeffco Student Candidate Forum (location TBD)

• October 12, 6:30 p.m.: Lakewood Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW), Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, 920 Kipling St., Lakewood
  • Agenda:
    • 5:45 p.m.: Doors open
    • 6:30 p.m.: Discussion of statewide ballot issues
    • 7 p.m.: Jefferson County School Board Forum. All five candidates will be present and ready to discuss relevant issues and answer attendee questions. Attendees are encouraged to prepare and bring any questions you have for the candidates.

• October 16, 6 p.m.: Jeffco Kids First and the Jeffco Schools Transportation Workers. Moderated by Pam Yoder, retired Jeffco principal and Sara Ewing, Jeffco transportation worker.               
  • Location: Arvada library, 7525 W. 57th Ave., Arvada, CO 80002
  • Agenda:
    • 6-6:30 p.m.: Meet and greet with the candidates
    • 6:30-8 p.m.: Forum

• October 18: Jeffco Education Support Professionals Association (JESPA) and Coloradans for the Common Good (time and location TBD)

More information will be posted to this page as the Board of Education office is informed of forums.

Election Date is Tuesday, November 7, 2023

The election will be held by mail ballot and at Voter Service Polling Centers, beginning with mailing ballots to voters in October.

The Board of Education is the policy-making body of the school district. The Board is composed of five members, elected to alternating four-year terms. Board members receive no pay; they give freely of their time to serve the community.

In order to provide information for this webpage, or if you have questions, please contact the designated election official.

Please check back periodically as additional election information will be posted as details become available.