This story was updated at 1 p.m. Nov. 8.
Marcie King and Kerry Ann McHugh, who were elected to the Clear Creek School District Board of Education on Nov. 7, should be sworn in to their positions within the next few weeks.
The two must be sworn in within 10 days after the county clerk certifies the election results, interim Superintendent Mike Gass said. While the clerk has until Nov. 29 to certify the results, he hopes it will be complete in time for King and McHugh to attend the Colorado Association of School Boards conference in early December.
“Any time you get a new member on a board, it’s a new board,” Gass said. “We want to make sure we take the time to get everyone settled and give the board the opportunity to work together. There’s a lot of work to do, and it’s exciting stuff.”
Incumbent McHugh, who has been involved in public issues and served as Georgetown’s mayor, will represent District E, which is the west end of Clear Creek County. She has been elected to her first term after being appointed to the board in June 2022.
King, a paralegal, will represent District A, which is the west end of Idaho Springs and the north part of the county. She is new to the board.
King has defeated incumbent Sandi Schuessler, and McHugh has defeated Anji Gallanos.
King received 59% of the vote compared with Schuessler’s 41%. McHugh received 58% of the vote compared with Gallanos’ 42%.
Schuessler and Gallanos worked together on their campaign, while McHugh and King worked together.
School board members serve four-year terms.
“We are very excited,” McHugh said on Election Night. “This was a community effort. The community is saying we need change, and I’m so excited to get that happening. We know we can do the good work that needs to be done.”
Schuessler said she was proud of the time she served on the school board, especially listening and interacting with the community.
“I’m looking forward to still being involved in my community,” Schuessler said. “The journey has been an adventure. I am still going to be active in the community, and I hope to have a voice at the table.”
McHugh and King said they believe the school board did not act responsibly in working with Idaho Springs as it made the decision to move the bus barn from its present location to the track south of Building 103, which is being transitioned into a new elementary school. The issue was resolved earlier this month.
Schuessler and Gallanos said the school board made solid decisions and subsequent issues with Idaho Springs have been resolved.
McHugh said in her candidate questionnaire responses that she ran for the board because Clear Creek’s future hung in the balance, and the direction voters chose would shape the educational journey for students. She said the board missed or blocked vital opportunities for improvement, and the election could change the board’s balance, allowing the momentum to implement the changes the community deserves.
King said in her candidate questionnaire responses that she hoped to change the balance of power on the board and improve the trajectory to benefit children and build a stronger foundation of education in Clear Creek. She said the board had been overspending on bond projects, didn’t explore alternatives to curb the overspending and didn’t listen to community voices.
Schuessler said in her candidate questionnaire that she was running for reelection because students, teachers and schools need strong leadership to continue moving forward. With a new interim superintendent, it is critical to continue the district’s successful momentum.
Gallanos said in her candidate questionnaire responses that she ran for the board because her experience as an educational leader and her interest in ensuring students have what they need to be successful. She said she was dedicated to ensuring quality classroom experiences for all children.
Community elections are dynamic, so this story may be updated as new information becomes available.