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Anthony Graziano (Colorado)
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Anthony Graziano was a member of the Douglas County School District Board of Directors in Colorado, representing District B. Graziano assumed office on December 12, 2017. Graziano left office on November 29, 2021.
Graziano ran for re-election to the Douglas County School District Board of Directors to represent District B in Colorado. Graziano won in the general election on November 7, 2017.
He ran as a member of the Community Matters slate along with Chris Schor, Kevin Leung, and Krista Holtzmann.[1]
Biography
Graziano moved to Castle Rock in 2004. His work experience is in the information technology and software industries. Graziano earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the State University of New York at Albany and an M.Ed. in human resource development from Colorado State University. He has served as a volunteer in district schools and as a recreational league basketball coach. He and his wife have one daughter who attended school in the district during the 2017-2018 school year and another who graduated from the district.[2]
Elections
2017
Four of the seven seats on the Douglas County School District Board of Education in Colorado were up for nonpartisan general election on November 7, 2017. No incumbents filed to run for re-election, which guaranteed four new members were elected to the board. The race featured two candidate slates. The Community Matters slate—Anthony Graziano, Chris Schor, Kevin Leung, and Krista Holtzmann—won the election after campaigning against the policies of the board's 4-3 governing majority. They defeated the Elevate Douglas County slate—Ryan Abresch, Randy Mills, Grant Nelson, and Debora Scheffel—which campaigned in support of continuing programs started by the governing majority.[3][4]
Results
| Douglas County School District, District B General Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Anthony Graziano |
58.65% | 52,937 |
| Ryan Abresch | 41.35% | 37,321 |
| Total Votes | 90,258 | |
| Source: Colorado Secretary of State, "Official Results," accessed August 28, 2023 | ||
Funding
Graziano reported $20,217.16 in contributions and $20,217.16 in expenditures to the Colorado Secretary of State, which left his campaign with a $0.00 balance in the election.[5]
Endorsements
Graziano and the other members of the Community Matters slate were endorsed by the organization Douglas County Parents.[6] They were also endorsed by 12 former Douglas County Board of Education members. Click here to read their letter of support that was published in The Denver Post. They were also endorsed by former officials and members of the community. Click here for a list of their supporters.
Campaign themes
2017
Candidate website
Graziano highlighted the following issues on his campaign website:
| “ | Functionality of our school board is a critical element in the overall success of our public school system. In order for DCSD to thrive, the community must completely trust that the Board of Education is working effectively, with sound principles and accountable practices. Utilizing my masters degree in education along with my extensive work as a director of business development in the IT field, I have the ability to consistently achieve consensus through constructive dialogue, healthy debate, and reasonable compromise. I work with a variety of personalities and perspectives on a daily basis, positioning me to help achieve our common goal – providing a high-quality, equitable public education for all students in Douglas County.
I am firmly committed to fiscal responsibility, and I will work tirelessly to regain the public’s trust of district-level spending. This can be accomplished by prioritizing our schools in all areas of financial decision-making. We can no longer award executive bonuses and salary increases while simultaneously cutting our schools’ budgets. I will help create an improved budget process that allows precise longitudinal comparisons, detailed departmental breakdowns, and a more sensible timeline for system-wide budgeting. Attracting and retaining excellent teachers is critical to the success of our students. Over the years, our family has had countless dinner-table conversations about teachers and principals who’ve had a huge impact on our two daughters. Unfortunately, most of those professionals have left Douglas County for a better work environment in surrounding districts. In a recent teacher survey, only 22% of teachers believe the climate and culture in the district makes for a positive work environment. This is unacceptable. I intend to change this by continuing to improve the teacher evaluation system, reconsidering the staff pay band structure, and exploring more adequate feedback mechanisms for staff. I will make hiring a permanent superintendent a top priority. Professional educators also deserve adequate compensation for their skills, and I will pursue long-term, viable options that would support salary increases for all DCSD teachers. I plan to re-establish DCSD as a destination district, where staff feels appreciated, valued, and supported in all aspects of their jobs. Finally, it’s important that I set an example for my daughters by serving the community during such a critical time. When presented with a challenge, we need to actively be a part of the solution. We must work hard to accomplish goals, as the greatest moments in life do not come easy or by a stroke of luck. As a member of the Douglas County Board of Education, I will work with my fellow board members in a collaborative and productive manner to create viable resolutions to difficult problems while returning our focus to prioritizing the needs of our students. Why? |
” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[8] | ||
Chalkbeat Colorado survey
Graziano participated in the following survey conducted by Chalkbeat Colorado. The questions provided in the survey appear bolded, and Graziano's responses appear below.
Tell us a bit about yourself. How long have you lived in the school district? What do you do for a living?
| “ | I have been married to my wife, Amy, a former teacher, for over 20 years. We moved to Douglas County 13 years ago from Littleton, to enroll our kids in the Douglas County School District. Our oldest daughter just graduated from Castle View High School and is now a freshman at Oregon State University. Our youngest daughter is currently a freshman at Castle View High School. Professionally, I have worked in the information technology and software industries since 1995. I have a M.Ed in Human Resource Development from Colorado State University and a B.S. in Political Science from the State University of New York at Albany. I currently work as a Director of Business Development in IT.[7] | ” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[9] | ||
Tell us about your connection to the school district.
| “ | Throughout the 13 years that our kids have been enrolled in our neighborhood public schools, I’ve served as a school volunteer in a variety of capacities, including executing fundraising efforts, participating in the Academic Booster Club, and coaching youth sports through the town of Castle Rock. We have hosted three exchange students who attended Castle View HIgh School. We also chose to homeschool our girls through Douglas County School District for one year, while we immersed ourselves in the cultures of 16 countries across Europe and Asia.[7] | ” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[9] | ||
If elected, would you continue the district's legal fight to enact a private school voucher system? Why or why not?
| “ | I would not support any program that seeks to legalize vouchers and educational savings accounts. I oppose private school vouchers in any form, due to the fact that they divert public tax dollars to private schools. I am an advocate for public school choice, where accountability of tax dollars can be maintained and governmental oversight is not forced on private schools. Finally, there is no data indicating that the majority of our community supports vouchers.[7] | ” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[9] | ||
One of your most important tasks will be to select a new superintendent for the district. What characteristics will you seek in a new leader?
| “ | The Superintendent for the Douglas County School District requires a strong vision for providing a quality, equitable education for every student. An effective leader possesses the ability to openly communicate with staff, accept and adapt to constructive feedback, and implement academic practices that facilitate a positive culture and climate throughout the school district. A solid background in school budgeting is also critical, along with a positive history for attracting and retaining quality educators.[7] | ” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[9] | ||
If elected, would you seek to make changes to the way the district pays its teachers? How?
| “ | Teachers are the pillar of our public school system, and we must find a pay structure that is incentivizing, fair, and rewarding. This includes competitive pay, along with a work environment that encourages teamwork and collaboration among staff. We need to reconsider our current pay band structure that doesn't value many of the teachers who have a significant impact on our youngest students, determine if our evaluation system for teachers is fair and provides meaningful feedback mechanisms, and pursue options for a long-term viable funding source in order to offer competitive pay in an effort to attract and retain quality teachers.[7] | ” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[9] | ||
If elected, would you support the district asking voters for a tax increase for capital construction and to pay for additional educational programs? Why or why not?
| “ | Yes. We have not given voters this opportunity in six years, and the school district’s own joint subcommittee is recommending this option be placed on the 2018 ballot. Based on our dismal fiscal forecast and over $300 million in current capital needs, we must allow the community to consider a future bond and mill levy override initiative in order to adequately fund our public schools. It’s also imperative that extensive community outreach take place to collect feedback from Douglas County taxpayers and provide them with current data for consideration. The community must play an active role in determining funding targets, specific language, and optimal timeframe of such an initiative.[7] | ” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[9] | ||
The Douglas County education community for years has been divided by actions taken by the school board. How would you bridge the gaps and ensure all residents are listened to?
| “ | I have already begun the process by meeting with community members, teachers, principals, committee members, business owners, and parents, so that I can listen to their concerns and ideas. Utilizing my education in human resources development, along with my extensive work as a director of business development in the IT field, I have the ability to consistently achieve consensus through constructive dialogue, healthy debate and reasonable compromise. I work with a variety of personalities and perspectives on a daily basis, positioning me to help achieve our common goal – providing a high-quality, equitable public education for all students in Douglas County.[7] | ” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[9] | ||
The effectiveness of the Douglas County School District's special education services was recently challenged in a U.S. Supreme Court case. While the court did not rule on the merit of the program, it did find the historic standard of "minimum" improvement is no longer acceptable. What sort of reforms do you believe the district's special education program should consider?
| “ | Special Education is an essential aspect of our public school system, serving our most vulnerable students. We need to re-evaluate our spending priorities districtwide, and ensure that our students are being sufficiently served above all else. We need to raise the bar and aim to guarantee our special education students make reasonable progress each year instead of "minimum" improvement. In addition, our current teacher turnover crisis negatively impacts all students, but even more so those receiving special education services. We can begin to solve this through improving our district’s culture and climate and determining an effective, long-term salary structure. Communication with parents is critical to the success of our special education programs. We must be fully transparent as we listen to and validate concerns of our parents.[7] | ” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[9] | ||
How should Douglas County approach its relationships with existing and future charter schools, and should they be funded equally?
| “ | The Douglas County community has a strong history of public school choices, offering a variety of school types, learning environments and curriculums. Charter schools in Douglas County receive 100 percent of the state’s per pupil revenue and our county’s mill levy override dollars; this should remain unchanged. Our community has been very clear that they support quality schools above any specific type of school. I support thoughtful growth and responsible planning of schools to insure that quality is never compromised and that all students have access to quality public school choice. When large groups of local parents express a void in school choice, we need to listen and work together to find a solution. Achieving a balance that guarantees quality, while meeting the demands of grassroots charter initiatives, is critical to the success of all schools in our district.[7] | ” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[9] | ||
Parker Chronicle Q&A
Graziano participated in the following Q&A conducted by the Parker Chronicle. The questions provided in the Q&A appear bolded, and Graziano's responses appear below.
Why did you decide to run?
| “ | As a 13-year resident of Douglas County, I appreciate and enjoy all there is to offer in our community. To live here is to experience an exceptional quality of life, strong local businesses, an abundance of parks, trails and outdoor activities and an involved and educated community. As a father I think it’s important to set an example for my daughters by serving the community we love so much. I’d like to give back, and this is an area where I could make a positive impact. I am running for school board with the promise to listen closely, understand issues and seek solutions through responsible service.[7] | ” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[10] | ||
What are the most important issues facing the school district?
| “ | Despite all the positive aspects of life here in Douglas County, I’ve witnessed some changes in our public schools over the past eight years that concern me. DCSD needs to create and follow a fiscally responsible budget, placing the needs of students first, while being transparent to taxpayers. The school board needs to act as a stable and functioning unit, providing a positive example and strong leadership for the community. Substantial turnover in any high-performing organization is not sustainable. We must create a culture so that we retain and hire the best educators.[7] | ” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[10] | ||
The board has been divided in recent years. How would you help bridge that divide?
| “ | While the school board is several layers away from the real work that’s going on in the classroom between teachers and students, there’s a trickle-down effect the board has on the overall function and culture of the school district. Making decisions behind closed doors, putting dissenting voices on a time clock and not following standard procedures are no way for a high-performing school board to operate. I am all for healthy debate and differing opinion. What has been lacking though, and I will work to insert, is respectful dialogue, compromise and serving the interests of our community.[7] | ” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[10] | ||
Would you be supportive of a bond or mill levy to bring more funding to the district?
| “ | Whether it’s a leaky faucet or your furnace not working in the winter, what homeowner wants to let their home to fall into disrepair? I’m all for improving efficiency with the funding we’ve been allocated, but there is a growing backlog of structural needs that require attention now or later. If improved efficiency is not enough, I’m for a bond and mill levy. Our 67,000 students and 8,700 employees deserve a safe and healthy learning environment.[7] | ” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[10] | ||
What else do you want people to know about you?
| “ | I am an IT sales professional and I enjoy traveling, golfing, music and walking my dogs. Pretty simple. My wife, Amy, and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. We have two daughters, Celeste and Nina, who have attended our neighborhood schools in Castle Rock from kindergarten through high school. A few years ago, my wife and I homeschooled our girls for eight months while we traveled to 15 countries, experiencing time together and countless great adventures. I’ve been very involved in my girls’ schools and running for DCSD Board of Education is a great step to take my involvement in our community to another level.[7] | ” |
| —Anthony Graziano (2017)[10] | ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Anthony Graziano Douglas County School District school board. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
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Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Community Matters, "Home," accessed October 9, 2017
- ↑ Graziano for DCSD, "About," accessed October 9, 2017
- ↑ Douglas County Elections Office, "Unofficial Results," accessed November 7, 2017
- ↑ Douglas County School District, "2017 School Board Election Candidates," accessed September 5, 2017
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "TRACER: Candidate Search," accessed December 15, 2017
- ↑ Douglas County Parents, "Candidates," accessed October 9, 2017
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Graziano for DCSD, "Issues," accessed October 9, 2017
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 Chalkbeat Colorado, "We sent surveys to all the 2017 Douglas County school board candidates. Read their answers here." October 5, 2017
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Parker Chronicle, "Q&A with school board candidate Anthony Graziano," August 15, 2017
| Douglas County School District elections in 2017 | |
| Douglas County, Colorado | |
| Election date: | November 7, 2017 |
| Candidates: | District B: • Ryan Abresch • Anthony Graziano District D: • Randy Mills • Chris Schor District E: • Kevin Leung • Grant Nelson District G: • Krista Holtzmann • Debora Scheffel |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Additional elections on the ballot • Key deadlines |
