Jennafer Stites

Jennafer Stites

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Academy School District 20 school board, At-large

Elections and appointments

Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

High school

Duluth Central High School

Bachelor's

University of Minnesota, Duluth, 2002

Law

William Mitchell College of Law, 2005

Personal

Birthplace

Duluth, Minn.

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Jennafer Stites is running for election for an at-large seat of the Academy School District 20 school board in Colorado. Stites is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source]

Stites completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jennafer Stites was born in Duluth, Minnesota. Stites' career experience includes working as a law clerk, paralegal, executive assistant, and hearing officer. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 2002 and a law degree from the William Mitchell College of Law in 2005.

Elections

2025

See also: Academy School District 20, Colorado, elections (2025)

General election

The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.

General election for Academy School District 20 school board, At-large (3 seats)

The following candidates are running in the general election for Academy School District 20 school board, At-large on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Susan Payne (Nonpartisan)
		Brandon Clark (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Cynthia Halverson (Nonpartisan)
		Renée Ludlam (Nonpartisan)
		Jennafer Stites (Nonpartisan)
		Holly Tripp (Nonpartisan)
		Eddie Waldrep (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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Endorsements

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Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jennafer Stites completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Stites' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Jenna is the mom of two students in D20, a son in 5th grade and a daughter in 9th. She is a former district employee and a dedicated volunteer in both the district and the community at large.

Raised in a working class family, Jenna worked her way through college and law school - a journey that shaped her commitment to ensuring all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Jenna graduated from the University of MN, Duluth in 2002 and went on to law school at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was admitted into the Minnesota State Bar in 2006. Jenna spent over a decade working in the court system as a paralegal, executive assistant, law clerk and, finally, as a hearing officer in Hennepin County district court. She became a lawyer to be a problem solver for people facing difficult challenges, and that same drive to serve others led her to become deeply involved in education. After moving to Colorado Springs, Jenna immersed herself in the local education community by serving in numerous volunteer roles and by working for two years as a kindergarten paraprofessional at Chinook Trail Elementary. In this role, she saw firsthand the dedication, hard work and passion of D20’s amazing teachers and staff. 

She’s running for school board to champion calm, competent leadership that ensures teachers and staff have the resources they need, students are empowered to reach their full potential, and our neighborhoods remain strong.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Student achievement is at the heart of everything we do as a district, and is my top priority. Our mission must go beyond ensuring students pass tests or graduate on time — we must prepare them to succeed in life. That means developing knowledge, skills, and character so that every graduate leaves our schools ready for their next step, whether that’s college, career, military service, or another chosen path.
• The success of our district depends on having top-quality educators. Recruiting and retaining an exceptional staff requires more than competitive salaries—it requires a culture that values educators as professionals and gives them the tools, trust, and support they need to thrive. Teacher shortages across the country have underscored what many of us already know: when teachers feel respected, heard, and supported, they stay. D20's cost of living and the increasing demands placed on educators make it essential that our district not only attracts exceptional staff members but also makes them want to build long careers here. Competitive compensation is part of the equation, but culture matters just as much.
• Trust is the foundation of an effective school district. Families, educators, and community members deserve confidence that decisions are being made openly, honestly, and in the best interest of students. Transparency and accountability are not optional—they are essential to strong governance and public trust. District leaders have a responsibility to operate in full view of the community they serve. That means clear and open communication about how decisions are made, how resources are used, and how success is measured.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public education has the ability to change the lives of students by opening doors of opportunity and empowering every child to reach their full potential. Education policy shapes nearly every part of a student’s school experience — from the size of their class and the quality of their teachers to the safety of their environment and the opportunities available after graduation. It determines how resources are distributed, what expectations we set for learning, and how we measure success. In short, education policy defines our community’s priorities for its future.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, accountability, and the spirit of service are the core of effective leadership. Integrity means doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult. Accountability means being transparent, listening to feedback, and taking responsibility for decisions. Service means remembering that elected office is about representing others, not personal ambition. Together, these principles build trust and ensure that every decision is guided by honesty, fairness, and a commitment to the community.

What is your favorite book? Why?

One of my favorite books is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I read it last year with my daughter, and loved its message of hope, courage and compassion in even the darkest of times. The novel shows us that even small acts of kindness and resistance can matter profoundly, and that stories themselves can be a form of survival.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

The primary role of a board member is to provide clear direction, set expectations for student success, and hold the superintendent accountable for results. Board members focus on the “what” and “why” — defining goals, and desired outcomes — while trusting district leadership to determine the “how.” By staying focused on the district's vision, mission and accountability rather than daily operations, the board ensures stability, transparency, and a shared commitment to the success of every student.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

I believe strong schools depend on strong community partnerships. I will build relationships by being visible, accessible, and engaged—listening to parents, students, teachers, and community members with respect and openness. I’ll visit schools, attend football games, plays, and celebrations honoring our students' and staff's accomplishments. In short, I will continue to be an active and engaged member of our community. By fostering trust, collaboration, and transparency, we can ensure every voice is heard and that decisions reflect the shared values and priorities of our entire community.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

One of my proudest moments was graduating from law school while working full time—a milestone that represents years of determination, sacrifice, and belief in a larger purpose. Balancing the demands of a full-time job with the intensity of legal studies required unwavering focus and an ability to prioritize every moment. It wasn’t an easy path, but it taught me grit and the value of persistence.

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Academy School District 20 school board, At-large

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