I am writing to apply for the vacant seat on the Pueblo County School District 70 Board of Education. As a District 70 resident with two sons currently enrolled (one at Pueblo County High School and one at Vineland Middle School), I have witnessed first hand the dedication of D70 teachers and staff. The educators in this district have shaped my sons’ development, challenged them academically, and created environments where they can thrive. I am deeply grateful for that investment, and I want to serve in this capacity as a way of giving back to the district that has given so much to my family.

For the past five years, I have served as Area Director for Young Life in Pueblo, working directly with students at Pueblo West High School, Pueblo County High School, Skyview Middle School, and Vineland Middle School. Through this work, I see daily the impact that quality education and supportive adults have on young people’s lives.

Before that, I spent six years as Executive Pastor at Praise Assembly of God, where I managed organizational systems, oversaw multiple department operations, and built a young adult ministry from startup to 200 participants. I understand what it takes to make strategic decisions with limited resources and facilitate difficult conversations among diverse stakeholders.

What I bring to the BOE:

- Budget management experience: I have managed organizational budgets, monitored resource allocation, and maintained fiscal accountability in nonprofit settings.

- Strategic planning during constraint: I have expanded programs while working within tight budgets.

- Stakeholder engagement: I have recruited and retained volunteers, built community partnerships, and led Young Life regional task forces.

- Crisis navigation: My counseling background (Parkview Medical Center, St. Mary Corwin) has taught me to assess complex needs, facilitate difficult transitions, and connect people with appropriate resources.

I am not an education policy expert, and I won’t pretend to be. What I offer is a commitment to listen to educators and administrators who have that expertise, while bringing strong skills in collaborative decision-making, transparent communication, and principled leadership.

District 70 faces serious challenges and difficult decisions. Considerations that must be approached with respect for affected communities, grounded in clear data about student outcomes, and informed by the voices of families and staff. I also recognize that this board recently experienced questions regarding transparency and conflicts of interest. If appointed, I commit to complete transparency, immediate disclosure of any potential conflicts, and prioritizing the trust of District 70 families above all else.

I have spent a significant portion of my life investing in young people and the adults who support them. District 70’s teachers and staff are doing incredible work every day, often with limited resources and recognition. I want to serve on this board to support and equip those educators, to help create environments where both students and staff can thrive, and to ensure that more families have the positive experience my family has had. Every student in District 70 deserves quality education, and every educator deserves to be supported and respected. I am ready to contribute my skills to help this board navigate the difficult road ahead while honoring what makes this district strong.

Thank you to the BOE and the community for considering my application for this appointment.

Respectfully,

Jonathan Lewis