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Ron Mitchell
Ron Mitchell is the former District 5 representative on the Jeffco Public Schools school board in Colorado. First elected to the board in a recall election in 2015, Mitchell won a new term in the at-large general election on November 7, 2017. Mitchell ran as part of the Keep Jeffco Moving Forward candidate slate with fellow incumbents Susan Harmon and Brad Rupert.[1] The three members also ran together as The Clean Slate in 2015.
Mitchell resigned from the board on November, 12, 2020.[2]
Biography
As of this writing, Mitchell was a retired educator. He served Jeffco Public Schools for 40 years as a teacher, principal, and administrator. For three years, he served the Colorado Department of Education as a liaison to metro school districts.[3]
Elections
2017
- See also: Jeffco Public Schools elections (2017)
Three of the five seats on the Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education in Colorado were up for nonpartisan general election on November 7, 2017. In his bid for re-election to District 1, incumbent Brad Rupert defeated Matt Van Gieson. The District 2 race included incumbent Susan Harmon and Erica Shields. Harmon won re-election. District 5 incumbent Ron Mitchell ran unopposed and won another term on the board.[4] The three incumbents ran together as the Keep Jeffco Moving Forward candidate slate. They all won election to the board in a 2015 recall election.[5][6]
Results
| Jeffco Public Schools, District 5 General Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Ron Mitchell Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 98,266 |
| Total Votes | 98,266 | |
| Source: Colorado Secretary of State, "Official Results," accessed August 28, 2023 | ||
Funding
Mitchell reported $51,540.33 in contributions and $51,367.15 in expenditures to the Colorado Secretary of State, which left his campaign with $173.18 on hand in the election.[7]
Endorsements
Mitchell and the other members of the Keep Jeffco Moving Forward candidate slate were endorsed by the following organizations and elected officials:[8][9][10]
|
Mitchell was also endorsed by former school board members. Click here for a list of his supporters.
2015
An effort to recall three members of the Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education in Colorado was on the ballot on November 3, 2015.[11] Board members Julie Williams, John Newkirk, and Ken Witt from Districts 1, 2, and 5, respectively, were ousted from office with more than 60 percent of voters in each district casting ballots in favor of recall.[12]
A total of six candidates filed to replace the three incumbents up for recall. Brad Rupert ran for the seat held by Williams. Matt Dhieux and Susan Harmon campaigned for Newkirk's seat, and Regan Benson, Ron Mitchell, and Paula Noonan ran for Witt's seat. Rupert, Harmon, and Mitchell ran together as "The Clean Slate."[13][14] All three slate members were elected to replace Williams, Newkirk, and Witt.[12] They took office on November 19, 2015.[15]
The other two seats on the board—District 3 and District 4—were also on the ballot on November 3, 2015. They were up for general election. Neither incumbent filed to retain her seat in that election, meaning the district welcomed an entirely new board on November 19, 2015.[16]
Results
| Ken Witt, Area 5 Board Member, Jeffco Public Schools | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 Recall | 115936 | 64.25% | ||
| Retain | 64497 | 35.75% | ||
| Election results via: Jefferson County, "Official County Results," November 20, 2015 | ||||
| Successor candidate, Area 5 Board Member, Jeffco Public Schools | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Ron Mitchell | 83571 | 69.64% | ||
 Paula Noonan | 23782 | 19.82% | ||
| Regan Benson | 12643 | 10.54% | ||
| Election results via: Jefferson County, "Official County Results," November 20, 2015 | ||||
Funding
Mitchell reported $61,994.50 in contributions and $61,439.89 in expenditures to the Colorado Secretary of State, which left his campaign with $554.61 on hand in the election.[17]
Endorsements
Mitchell and the other members of "The Clean Slate" were endorsed by U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D).[13]
Campaign themes
2017
Mitchell participated in the following survey conducted by Chalkbeat Colorado. The survey questions appear bolded, and Mitchell's responses follow 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 lived here my entire life. I graduated from Arvada High School and earned a BS degree in Education and an MA in Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. My wife Sheryl was a teacher in Jeffco for more than twenty-five years. We are both retired from the Jeffco School district. We love living in Jefferson County and we are both passionate about our Jeffco Public Schools. My son and daughter-in-law graduated from Columbine High School. My daughter graduated from Arapahoe High School. I am blessed to have an opportunity to give back to my community.[18] | ” |
| —Ron Mitchell (2017)[19] | ||
Tell us about your connection to the school district.
| “ | I am a retired Jeffco Public Schools educator. I served as a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal and in Area Administration during my forty years in Jeffco. Two years ago, I decided to run for the school board during a very politically contentious time in our history. Five new courageous board members were elected to lead Jeffco forward. I believe this board has accomplished much and I am thrilled that all three of the elected recall board members have decided to continue to serve our students and communities. Consistent, positive leadership is necessary to keep our school district moving forward.[18] | ” |
| —Ron Mitchell (2017)[19] | ||
Superintendent Jason Glass recently announced a moratorium on school closures. Under what circumstances do you believe school closures, if ever, are correct to consider, and which factors should be weighed?
| “ | During the past two years our BOE was presented with proposals to close or consolidate around fifteen schools. We voted to close one and asked for different policies, procedures and criteria to be used in the future before closures are presented to us or the public. Closures are a very complicated issue with many variables to consider. I am pleased with Dr. Glass’s announcement of a moratorium and the district’s commitment to find ways to make our small schools more viable. I would not use the word never regarding closures, but simply believe closures should only be a last resort and the local school community should be involved from the beginning in trying to find other solutions.[18] | ” |
| —Ron Mitchell (2017)[19] | ||
Another focus of the new superintendent has been to concentrate more on equity issues. What do you think are the most critical equity issues facing Jeffco Public Schools, and what can the district do to ensure better opportunities and achievement for all students?
| “ | Jeffco serves a large population of 86,000 students with diverse needs. We work tirelessly to close learning gaps and meet the needs of all students. I am excited about the community wrap around school being piloted at Jefferson High School. I hope it becomes a model for the future. I am also excited about the pre-apprenticeship program, new this year at Arvada High School, that is a result of a partnership with the constructions trade unions. I also think our dual language program is showing promise as a way to narrow the achievement gaps for Hispanic students. These programs, along with an investment in staff development district wide, are a path forward in closing achievement gaps. We also need to work on facility equity by remodeling several older schools. Meeting the needs of our diverse learners requires continuous investment of resources, a clear focus and hard work. This work must be a priority for our district.[18] | ” |
| —Ron Mitchell (2017)[19] | ||
What role do you believe charter schools should have in the district?
| “ | We have some excellent grassroots initiated charter schools that help us meet the needs of students and parents across our communities. I am very supportive of these schools, and believe they are a good addition to the many neighborhood and option schools provided in Jeffco. Unfortunately, today we are seeing national corporate management firms trying to promote their for-profit schools across the nation. They often promote the concept that more charter schools result in more choices which improves the quality of education for all students. This concept is a false assumption; it is not "choice" that creates a quality school. Many other variables are more critical; for example, quality teachers, curriculum, community involvement and so on. I support local charter schools with local board majorities that answer to their specific communities. I am opposed to national corporate chains. I also believe charters need to be carefully integrated into neighborhoods and should be accountable for providing a quality education for all students.[18] | ” |
| —Ron Mitchell (2017)[19] | ||
Do you think the district should reconsider a ballot measure to ask voters for a tax increase for the school district? Is there something the district should do differently if they do ask?
| “ | I would like to see the legislature fund Amendment 23, passed by Colorado voters years ago, and eliminate the negative factor. I will continue to work with our state legislators on this issue, however, I am concerned that adequate state K-12 funding may not be on the immediate horizon. If relief does not occur at the state level, then we have only the option of going to the Jefferson County voters with a mill/bond proposal. We will need to better inform our citizens and have them help us set the priorities for a mill/bond measure. I think we rushed this issue last time and we as a district will need to do a better job of communicating with all residents. It is clear that we are falling behind our neighboring school districts and cannot continue this trend. Do our Jefferson County students deserve less than students in neighboring districts? I think not.[18] | ” |
| —Ron Mitchell (2017)[19] | ||
What do you see as the biggest issue facing Jeffco schools today and how do you hope to have an impact on that issue as a school board member?
| “ | K-12 funding for Jeffco Schools continues to be the over-riding issue in our school district. Colorado currently ranks 43rd out of 50 states in per-pupil funding. I will continue to work with our state legislators and the Jeffco community to adequately fund our schools. Increased funding would help us consider some of the following ideas: -Competitive teacher salaries |
” |
| —Ron Mitchell (2017)[19] | ||
2015
Mitchell highlighted the following statement on his campaign website:
| “ | I am a lifelong Coloradan, grew up in Jefferson County, and have dedicated my career to Jefferson County Schools. In all my years living here, I know there has ever been an election more important than this one. The ideological behavior and poor leadership of this board majority has rippled through each of our schools – pushing teachers to leave the district they love, and negatively impacting the learning experience of our kids.
I am committed to making our schools a source of pride once more – by listening to the community when making decisions, keeping great teachers in every classroom, and putting our kids’ education above personal politics. I’m running to restore common sense, community values, transparency, and financial accountability to our board. I’m running to make sure that students and parents feel safe expressing their views when we disagree on the best policy for our district. I’m running to make sure that the Jeffco school board isn’t an arena for partisan politics or special interests, but a place where community, teachers, parents, and students come together to chart a path for the educational success for our kids. That’s what the mission of our school board should be. I promise to make that mission a reality. Sincerely, Ron[18] |
” |
| —Ron Mitchell (2015)[20] | ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Ron Mitchell Jeffco Public Schools school board. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Jeffco Public Schools, Colorado
- Jeffco Public Schools elections (2017)
- Jeffco Public Schools recall, Colorado (2015)
External links
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Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Keep Jeffco Moving Forward, "Home," accessed October 24, 2017
- ↑ Jeffco Public Education Network, "Rick Rush appointed to fill Jeffco School Board vacancy," December 13, 2020
- ↑ Ron for Jeffco Kids, "About Ron," accessed October 14, 2015
- ↑ Jeffco Public Schools, "Election 2017," accessed September 2, 2017
- ↑ Keep Jeffco Moving Forward, "Home," accessed October 24, 2017
- ↑ El Paso County Elections Office, "Unofficial Results: HARRISON SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 DIRECTOR," accessed November 7, 2017
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "TRACER: Candidate Search," accessed December 18, 2017
- ↑ Support Jeffco Kids, "2017 Endorsements," accessed October 24, 2017
- ↑ Arvada Press, "Teacher unions support incumbents for Jeffco school board," October 18, 2017
- ↑ Keep Jeffco Moving Forward, "Endorsements," accessed October 25, 2017
- ↑ Chalkbeat Colorado, "Clerk: Jeffco school board recall will be on November ballot," September 3, 2015
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Jefferson County, "Unofficial County Results," November 3, 2015
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Chalkbeat Colorado, "6 candidates, including longtime critic, in running to replace Jeffco school board recall targets," September 28, 2015
- ↑ Colorado Independent, "Recall-backed Jeffco school board candidates skip conservative forum," September 1, 2015
- ↑ FOX 31 Denver, "Ousted Jefferson County school board members attend final meeting," November 5, 2015
- ↑ Jeffco Public Schools, "Board of Education Election 2015," accessed August 31, 2015
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "TRACER: Candidate Information - Election Year 2015: Mitchell, Ron," accessed December 7, 2015
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 Chalkbeat Colorado, "We asked the 2017 Jeffco school board candidates seven questions. Here are their responses." October 5, 2017
- ↑ Ron for Jeffco Kids, "Home," accessed October 14, 2015
| Jeffco Public Schools elections in 2017 | |
| Jefferson County, Colorado | |
| Election date: | November 7, 2017 |
| Candidates: | District 1: • Incumbent, Brad Rupert • Matt Van Gieson District 2: • Incumbent, Susan Harmon • Erica Shields District 5: • Incumbent, Ron Mitchell |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Additional elections on the ballot • Key deadlines |
| 2015 Jeffco Public Schools General Election and Recall Election | |
| Jefferson County, Colorado | |
| Election date: | November 3, 2015 |
| Candidates: | General Election Candidates District 3: • Kim Johnson • Ali Lasell District 4: • Tori Merritts • Amanda Stevens Recall Election Candidates District 1: • Incumbent, Julie Williams • Brad Rupert District 2: • Incumbent, John Newkirk • Matt Dhieux • Susan Harmon District 5: • Incumbent, Ken Witt • Regan Benson • Ron Mitchell • Paula Noonan |
| Important information: | Issues in the general election • Recall supporters • Recall opponents • Key general election deadlines • Recall path to the ballot |
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