I am running for the Summit School District Board of Education because I believe our schools must be as exceptional as the community we call home.

A successful school district isn’t just an amenity; it is the fundamental economic and social backbone of a thriving community, drawing young families, supporting our local workforce and securing our long-term vitality. The choices we make for our students today directly determine the health and future prosperity of our entire mountain community tomorrow. We have dedicated teachers, engaged families and students with boundless potential. But we cannot ignore the unique and intense pressures — from an escalating cost of living to persistent achievement gaps — that threaten the core of our educational mission. I am committed to academic achievement, transparent fiscal responsibility and making our schools sustainable in an ever-changing environment.

Priority No. 1: Academic performance

The most critical challenge we face is elevating measurable student performance. Recent data, particularly the disparities observed in CMAS scores for math and English language arts, reveals a widening gap that must be addressed, and highlights scores that are universally suboptimal. We must hold ourselves accountable for measurable, ambitious goals and ensure excellence is the expectation for every child.

To achieve this, we must empower our educators to focus on high-leverage instructional practices. This means consistently driving tasks that increase the depth of knowledge students need, moving beyond simple recall to critical thinking and problem-solving. It means expanding student dialogue in classrooms, allowing learners to discuss, question and co-construct understanding. By using data effectively, we can ensure every child receives targeted support with grade-level challenging content — never simplified, but expertly delivered.

Priority No. 2: Staff well-being

However, academic excellence is impossible without staffing stability and staff well-being. The crisis of teacher retention, fueled partly by the high cost of housing in Summit County, is an academic crisis in disguise. Losing experienced, high-quality teachers means losing instructional expertise in our classrooms. I will pursue creative, sustainable solutions for staff housing and competitive compensation packages. When we invest in our people, we are making the most direct and profound investment in the quality of education delivered to our students.

Priority No. 3: Fiscal responsibility

Finally, the board must restore and maintain community trust through fiscal responsibility and transparency. The failed bond measure sent a clear message that voters demand smarter, sustainable and better-communicated financial plans, as well as a district that delivers academically. As the district navigates the inevitable challenges of declining enrollment and the difficult conversations around potential school consolidation, every decision must be based on data analysis, fiscal sustainability, teacher and staff input and community input. We must ensure every taxpayer dollar directly supports a student-centered future.

I am running to be your voice on the school board — a voice committed to academic rigor, a financially resilient district and providing our students the opportunity to succeed in whatever path they choose. Let us work together to ensure the education our children receive is the best in Colorado. It is their future. Let’s help them get there.

Jacqueline Zheleznyak is a candidate for Summit School Board of Education. She can be reached at jackieforsummitschools@gmail.com.