Joseph Shelton Announces Candidacy for Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education, Citing Fiscal Mismanagement and Lack of Accountability

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 15, 2025

Joseph Shelton Announces Candidacy for Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of

Education, Citing Fiscal Mismanagement and Lack of Accountability

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Tonight, during the Colorado Springs School District 11 (D11) Board of Education meeting, the Board held a discussion about allocating $2.5 million from the Mill Levy Override fund to a new school opening next year. This decision comes just one day after the district announced the closure of Jenkins Middle School due to long-standing repair needs.

These repair needs have been documented for decades, yet D11 leadership failed to act when the situation could have been addressed proactively. Instead, the district waited until the school reached a critical state of disrepair, choosing to close Jenkins rather than using available funds for necessary renovations. Shockingly, rather than prioritizing these repairs, the $2.5 million from the Mill Levy Override—funds that were approved by taxpayers for school improvements—will be spent on renovating a space at UCCS for a school that has not even opened yet.

This mismanagement is not an isolated incident. In December, the district ended the Master

Agreement with the Colorado Springs Education Association, undermining the relationship

between educators and the administration. Additionally, the district recently distributed insufficient school supplies to teachers—supplies that barely covered the needs of a single classroom.

District 11 has consistently failed to meet the needs of its students, staff, and community. That is why, tonight, I am proud to announce my candidacy for the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education in this November’s election.

We cannot allow our school board members to continue spending money recklessly, without

transparency or accountability. The constituents of D11 deserve better. They deserve a school

board that prioritizes the well-being of students and educators, invests in maintaining our schools, and works collaboratively with the community to implement meaningful change.

My name is Joseph Shelton, I am 28 years old, and I am running to be the next Director of the Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education. Together, we can hold the Board

accountable, ensure fiscal responsibility, and create a brighter future for all students in District 11.

This fight starts now.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Joseph Shelton

Joseph@SheltonforD11.com

719-290-0440