My husband and I moved to Summit County after a sudden change in his career and an empty nest gave us an opportunity to make a move to the mountains, which had always been a dream. I finished my career at Summit Middle School, and my husband started a second career in the high school as a campus supervisor and football and basketball coach. We are so thankful to have had the opportunity to work and live in Summit County and now that we are both retired, we are excited to be able to focus more energy in supporting the whole community. 

I have worked as a school counselor for most of my career, but I have also been a family/school/ community liaison, a contract counselor for a nonprofit (teaching parenting classes) and for the State Court Administrator’s Office. Volunteering in the schools and with youth has always been important to me. I have been a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and actively involved any where I could in our children’s schools.  

When I retired from Summit Middle School, one of my goals was to stay connected to the youth in our community and to get more involved in the community at-large. I am running to be a board member of the Summit School District to be able to continue to advocate for youth, be a champion for public education and to support a community I am proud to call home. 

I am endorsed by both the Summit County Education Association and Voces Unidas.

Priority No. 1: Safety

Priority No. 1 for me will always be safety and belonging for staff and schools. It seems simple, but we must take care of the basics first: healthy food for all, transportation and housing. When students feel that they belong and cared for, they are more likely to take risks, ask questions and engage deeply in learning. When the staff feels that they belong and are valued, they are more likely to stay, collaborate and innovate to the betterment of all. I feel that as a community we can do more to ensure that all students and staff feel that they belong, are supported and are safe to be themselves. 

Priority No. 2: School funding

My second priority is funding for our schools. I cannot accept that in Colorado and in Summit County specifically that we are unable to adequately fund our schools. These are our children, our future and we have to do better. We have a lot to do at the state and federal level to support our schools, but also at the local level. How can the community and schools partner more together to ensure that our schools have the means they need to retain, recruit and train all staff and that all students have the support and resources they need for their personal and academic success. Yes, money is at the root of all this but so is volunteering in the schools, housing opportunities and sharing resources/skills that are already in our community. 

Priority No. 3: Grow opportunities

My third priority is to support the school district in its quest to grow the opportunities for our students to have the knowledge and tools/skills necessary for this ever changing world. I am encouraged by the Graduate Profile as it provides a framework to attest that all students will graduate with the attributes they will need when they graduate. This includes the Future-Ready Pathways program that is essential for students to develop tangible skills that connect to what they are learning in core classes and to jobs in the community. The opportunity for concurrent enrollment with Colorado Mountain College is also a huge asset. High expectations for all: our students, staff and community will help us to strengthen Summit School District and therefore Summit County as a whole!

Kimberly Dyer is a candidate for Summit School District Board of Education. She can be reached at KD81895@gmail.com.