Candidates Announced for Vacant Board of Education Seat

 

 

Applications will be reviewed by the board on January 27th, Interviews will be conducted on February 3rd, and a vote for the vacant seat will be conducted on February 10th. 

 

Candidate Bios:

Susie Carnes

Susie is a lifelong Pueblo County resident (36 years) and a proud parent of five children, including one currently enrolled in Pueblo County School District 70. Living on the St. Charles Mesa has deepened her commitment to the community. She is passionate about serving on the District 70 Board of Education to help shape a brighter future for local students and families. Her primary goal is to restore academic excellence as the district’s central focus, while fostering a love for the community that encourages young people to return as engaged, productive citizens after pursuing further education or careers. She wants to ensure Pueblo remains a place her children—and all residents—can be proud of, built on strong education, parental involvement, and shared values.

With her background as a teacher and principal at a local private school, combined with experience starting and running multiple businesses, Susie brings educational expertise, proven leadership, and practical skills to the board. As a parent actively navigating public schools, she also offers a firsthand perspective on supporting parental rights and prioritizing student achievement. She is fully prepared for the responsibilities of board service—including meetings, community engagement, and training. Susie is eager to contribute thoughtfully to academic initiatives, fiscal responsibility, and policies that empower families and educators.

Tara Stoesenreuther

Tara Stroesenreuther is a lifelong Pueblo County resident who grew up in Boone, Colorado and graduated from Pueblo County High School in 2008. Her commitment to public education and community is deeply personal as Pueblo County is her home, not just where she works. Tara earned her bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University Pueblo in 2011 and her master’s degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2016. After completing her education, she made a deliberate choice to return home and invest her skills, time, and leadership in the community that helped shape her.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor and founder of Still Growing: A Therapy Collective, Tara has spent more than a decade working alongside children, families, and schools to address barriers that interfere with learning, connection, and long-term success. Her work is rooted in the belief that emotional wellbeing, access to support, and a sense of belonging are essential to academic achievement. She approaches leadership with a commitment to ethical governance, fiscal responsibility, and data-informed decision-making that centers students while honoring educators and families. Tara seeks to serve on the Pueblo County School District 70 Board of Education to advocate for equitable opportunities, strengthen partnerships between schools and community resources, and help ensure that every student, regardless of background or circumstance, has the support needed to learn, grow, and reach their fullest potential.

Adolph Vigil 

In 1998 and again in 2002, I pursued this elected position, for the same reason I am pursing this position today. As a life-long resident and now parent and grandparent of this district, it has consistently been my intrinsic drive to involve myself in the educational programs provided by my local school district. I am a product of School District 70 and will forever seek to help provide opportunities for our youth. 

I am a retired teacher and administrator from School District 60 and 70, retiring in 2012. I have seen trends come and go regarding the latest educational programs. The bottom line is promoting life-long learners who can effectively communicate and problem solve. This is the demand from businesses wanting to relocate in this county. District 70 is currently, in my opinion, on the productive path to educating all students. The programs that are offered at our high schools are providing a solid foundation for post-secondary education as well as school-to-work opportunities. 

Jonathan Lewis

I am a District 70 parent with two sons enrolled in the district and have served for the past five years as Area Director for Young Life in Pueblo, working with students from Pueblo West High School, Pueblo County High School, Skyview Middle School, and Vineland Middle School. This combination gives me both a personal stake in district outcomes and a broader perspective on how families across D70 experience education. I have watched excellent educators shape my own children while also hearing from students, parents, and teachers district-wide about what is working and what is falling short. 

I want to serve because I believe District 70's strengths can be preserved even as we address real gaps in how we support both students and educators. I bring more than 15 years of nonprofit budget management and strategic planning in resource-constrained environments—skills this board needs as it navigates the growing challenge of doing more with less. I have led through organizational crisis and conflict and know how to make difficult decisions with transparency and accountability. If appointed, I will listen closely to educators, parents, and students and work to earn community trust through consistent, principled leadership. I am ready to support our educators and fight for the resources that allow every D70 student to thrive.