Shawna Hirter

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Shawna Hirter

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 7, 2023

Personal

Religion

Christian

Profession

Business owner

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Shawna Hirter ran for election to the School District 27J Board of Education to represent District 3 in Colorado. She lost in the general election on November 7, 2023.

Hirter completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Shawna Hirter's career experience includes working as a business owner.

Elections

2023

See also: School District 27J, Colorado, elections (2023)

General election

General election for School District 27J Board of Education District 3

Melinda Carbajal defeated Shawna Hirter in the general election for School District 27J Board of Education District 3 on November 7, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Melinda Carbajal (Nonpartisan)	59.2	13,979
		Shawna Hirter (Nonpartisan)	40.8	9,622

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 23,601
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Hirter received the following endorsements.

• Adams County, Colo., Republican Party
• Colorado Conservative Patriot Alliance
• Smart Choice Colorado
• Darcy Schoening - Frmr. El Paso Cnty. Moms for Liberty Chair

Campaign themes

2023

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Shawna Hirter completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hirter's 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.

In May of 2019, our family moved from Arizona to Colorado, settling in Brighton July of 2020. My husband and I have celebrated 19 years of marriage. We have 2 school-aged children who have both attended 27J schools. For the last 17 years I've been a stay-at-home Mom, and for 15 of those years I've been an in-home small business owner. I'm a Christian Conservative who has been involved in church leadership, women's leadership, and NextGen (next generation)/children's ministry over those 15 years.

When our oldest started Kindergarten, I signed up as class parent. This has always been a joy of mine, helping teachers with fundraisers, festivals, class parties, reading to the kiddos, creating props/decorations for plays, and field trip chaperoning, among other things. I've had the pleasure of coaching several seasons of boys' soccer for Brighton Rec, along with 1 season of co-ed t-ball.

As a Director, I want to reestablish the parent, student, teacher partnership. This is one of the most important relationships in a child's life. When this relationship is running harmoniously it can only help children succeed. I believe the strengthening of these relationships will also help tremendously in our fight against bullying.

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?

• My #1 goal as School Board Director will be to create a culture of partnership. We need to strengthen and nurture the parent, student, teacher bond. Parents need to feel welcomed in their student's education. Students need to feel surrounded by parents and teachers who care about their education. Teachers need to feel supported by parents in the education of the children. This relationship can be one of the most impactful and important teams in a person's life.
• Let's bolster transparency within the district. Parents want to know what their children are being taught in the classroom. We need to get back to the basics of education. Teaching the subjects that will help children succeed and be life-long learners. Finances are another key area that needs to be transparent. Taxpayers want to know that the district is spending funds wisely.
• My third and I think most challenging goal will be to use our newfound partnership to work together with the schools, parents, and community leaders to find ways to address the ever increasing bullying problem. This is critical as it is leading to an epidemic of drug-use and suicide in youth.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am concerned with any public policy that disrupts children's learning. I believe every child has a right to receive a quality education.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

In order to be successful in this position you need to have an ear to hear. You need a willingness to listen to people of different beliefs, backgrounds, mindsets, etc. You need to be thick-skinned, as some people may not agree with or even like you. I choose to not be offended and that has helped tremendously when dealing with tense situations or difficult people.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

On June 12, 1987, I was just 5 days shy of 10 years old when President Ronald Reagan said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible. Because it is God's love letter to the world.

Who are your constituents?

My constituents are every person in our community. One of the most common things you hear when speaking about the school board is, "I don't have kids in the schools." My response is usually something like "That might be, however, you do shop, live, eat, pay taxes etc. in the community. These children are going to grow up to work, vote, own businesses, etc. in this community and that will effect you." Our schools and how well or poorly they are run effect the community, as a whole.

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

The ideal learning environment for me is a classroom that welcomes children and allows them to be children. Our kids are forced to grow up entirely too soon. Age appropriate discussions and topics are vital. We need to stick to the basics of learning and keep controversial topics out of the classroom.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

This is one of the main reasons I am looking to serve on the 27J board. Parents are the main stakeholders in their children's education. We moved to the area during the pandemic and since that time parents have not felt welcome at the schools. As a parent who loves to be involved in my children's education that was very tough. I believe in order to have successful students it takes a strong team working together to surround the children with the support they need. I welcome parents to reach out and share ways we can build trustworthy relationships.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Other survey responses

Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Hirter completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

• School District 27-J

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Candidate

School District 27J Board of Education District 3

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