Holly Withers
School District 49 school board, District 1
Tenure
2025 - Present
Term ends
2029
Years in position
0
Elections and appointments
Education
Personal
Contact
Holly Withers is a member of the Falcon School District 49 school board in Colorado, representing District 1. She assumed office on December 4, 2025. Her current term ends in 2029.
Withers ran for election to the Falcon School District 49 school board to represent District 1 in Colorado. She won in the general election on November 4, 2025.
Withers completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Holly Withers was born in San Diego, California. She earned a high school diploma from Lewis-Palmer High School. Her career experience includes owning a small business.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: School District 49, Colorado, elections (2025)
General election
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Withers in this election.
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Holly Withers completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Withers' responses.
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I am a proud mother of four, a special education advocate, and a small business owner in Colorado Springs.
For my undergrad I attended Fort Lewis College on a scholarship, then completed my degree at UCCS for English, emphasis on writing. I eventually went on to study journalism and communications at CSU. Prior to owning a business, I was in various leadership roles for a national pharmacy chain.
As a parent, I think it is critical to not only have parental representation on this board, but one that understands the complexity of special education. Having children in high school, middle school, and elementary gives me a unique perspective on what's working well, and where there is need for improvement.
Ultimately, I fear that real needs are getting ignored while time and resources are being wasted on manufactured outrage. I want to bring the focus back to the students. I want to be part of the solution that makes schools stronger, not polarized.
School boards should have leadership that focuses on the bright and curious students, the hardworking educators, and those who want to see positive and meaningful change.
Our priorities should be academic excellence, after graduation readiness, safe environments, and properly compensated educators and support staff. - I stand for equity in education. I believe that every student- regardless of age, ability, or back round, deserves the resources and support they need to succeed. I am an advocate for special education. I want to help ensure that no moving parts fall through the cracks as parents and teachers navigate the system. This also means accountability and transparency for if/when it does.
- I want to see the district go back to basics in educational standards. I will ensure that age-appropriate, and data driven curriculum is utilized in all classrooms. Students deserve an education rooted in truth, and I believe that the experts are proficient in selecting materials that are accurate, transparent, and shows the least amount of bias.
- I am for community-focused, nonpartisan leadership.
I am here to serve the students and families. I believe in transparent, practical leadership that puts students first and listens to the community. School boards are not the venues for hyper-partisan rhetoric, or proselytizing. We need leaders who can see things from multiple perspectives with the big picture in mind. That big picture is knowing that the future is sitting in those classrooms, and we need to do right by all of them.
I’m personally most passionate about education policy areas that directly affect students and families on a daily basis, and keeping public tax dollars in public education. For me, that means making sure our schools are fully staffed, funded and maintained. I also care deeply about transparency and accountability in how taxpayer dollars are spent. Families deserve to know their money is being invested wisely: into classrooms, teachers, and student support services. Finally, I’m committed to policies that support teachers and staff, from giving them the time and resources they need to do their jobs, to ensuring our schools are safe, welcoming environments for all students.
Most people never meet their hero, but I gave birth to mine.
When my daughter first started getting her prognosis, I was told she would never walk, never talk, never be self-reliant, etc.
She defied all odds when she started to walk at age 5, she is non verbal but can speak via AAC device, and now she is starting to be able to make simple meals, ride a bike, etc. Her perseverance and determination is amazing to watch. She truly doesn't understand the concept of "can't." Plus, she's an absolute wizard on a piano. I believe the most important qualities in an elected official are integrity, transparency, communication, willingness to compromise, and a commitment to public service over ones own self interest.
Voters deserve leaders who will be honest and accountable, even when it’s not the easy or the popular choice.
Another critical principle is active listening. I mean really listening, to the people you represent. Good decisions come from understanding the needs of families, teachers, and students.
It's also imperative that an elected official be willing to take criticism with humility, and be able to improve in a sincere manner.
Finally, I think it’s essential to place stake in practicality and fairness. It's important that decisions are made from hearing the facts, and also hearing all opinions-and having the ability to practically find compromise in proposed solutions. This builds trust, respect, and productive working relationships. To act as the voice of the constituents you serve- and that means everybody. The core responsibility of a school board member is to ensure that every decision we make serves the best interests of students and strengthens our schools. That starts with setting policy that supports effective teaching and learning, approving budgets that prioritize classrooms and making sure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and transparently.
It also means holding the superintendent accountable, so that district leadership reflects the values and goals of our community.
And finally, it’s about being a liaison between families, educators, and the district: listening to concerns, communicating clearly, and making sure every parent feels heard and every child is supported. I would like my legacy to be that I kept the focus on students. If, years from now, families can say their children had access to great teachers, strong programs, and schools that welcomed every student, then I will have done my job. I want to be remembered as a board member who listened, asked hard questions, found a way to compromise, and made decisions based on reason.
I'm sure there's an earlier event, but the most memorable one was 9/11. I was 14 at the time.
The Great Gatsby.
I love the Roaring 20's- but it is just a hauntingly beautiful book about friendship, love and heartbreak.
On some level it's really about loss. I felt like it really captured the human condition of the relationships we make.
This was the book that made me want to be writer. Leslie Knope. She is my spirit animal.
In my view, the primary job of a school board member is to represent the community’s voice in public education while making decisions that set the vision, policies, and accountability framework for the district. Ultimately it means to govern, not manage. To focus on big-picture priorities, accountability, and ensuring that schools serve students effectively. This looks like: community representation, set direction, oversee budget and resources, accountability, transparency, and evaluate superintendent.
All students, parents, and residents that live in Director District 1 of District 49.
By being approachable. This means responding to any communications, finding the solutions, and delivering in a timely manner.
I believe the best way to build trust is through open, consistent communication. I plan to meet regularly with parents, teachers, and school staff, as well as local community organizations and small businesses that support our schools. I’ll also seek input from groups that advocate for students with special needs, military families, and families new to our district. By listening to a wide range of voices, I can make sure decisions reflect the real needs of our community.
Proper funding starts with transparency and accountability. I would push for clear, line-item budgets so taxpayers can see exactly where money is going, and ensure funds are prioritized for classrooms, teachers, and student services. I also believe in pursuing grants, ballot measures, and community partnerships to supplement state funding, while advocating at the state level to make sure our district receives its fair share.
Prevention, preparedness, and respect are the principles that will help with safety in schools. Prevention means investing in mental health resources, strong relationships between students and staff, and addressing concerns before they escalate. Preparedness means ensuring our buildings are secure, our staff are trained, student resource officers are assigned, and we have clear emergency plans. Respect means making sure safety measures don’t compromise a welcoming environment.
My ideal learning environment is one where every student feels safe, supported, and challenged. That means classrooms where teachers have the resources and time to focus on teaching, students with special needs receive the services they’re entitled to, and advanced learners are encouraged to reach their full potential. Where teachers are encouraging skills like critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration.
I would love to be able to do a quarterly 'ask me anything' events or listening sessions, being available to any parents who want to meet individually as it pertains to school board business. It starts immediately by interfacing with school committees. Also engaging with naturally occurring parent groups like PTAs, etc.
Creating and maintaining a culture of respect, trust, and fairness. Recruitment should focus on creating a supportive environment where teachers and staff feel valued and respected. That means offering competitive pay within our budget, reducing unnecessary red tape, and ensuring reasonable class sizes and workloads.
Any changes to curriculum should be driven by student outcomes and real-world needs. I would like to see continued investment in career and technical education, financial literacy, and life skills. As long as the curriculum is current, accurate, data-driven, and absent in bias- I do not think it would need to be changed.
Being the first person in my family to go to college.
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See also
External links
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 27, 2025
