Fountain-Fort Carson, Colorado, September 6, 2025
News Summary
El Paso County School District 8 has canceled its Board of Education election as two candidates, Loretta Kimball and Shirley Martinez, run uncontested. This decision aligns with state law permitting cancellation when the number of candidates equals the available positions. Both will be confirmed as school directors without a formal election, streamlining the governance process in the district.
Fountain-Fort Carson, Colorado – El Paso County School District 8 has canceled its upcoming Board of Education election, effectively declaring Loretta Kimball and Shirley Martinez as the elected candidates by acclamation. This decision was made under state law allowing school boards to cancel an election when the number of candidates matches the number of available seats.
The Board of Education adopted a resolution for the cancellation on August 27, 2025. The official deadline to assess the number of candidates was August 29, 2025. In this case, with two offices of school director set for election on November 4, 2025, only Kimball and Martinez submitted sufficient nomination petitions to be eligible candidates.
As a result of this situation, both Kimball and Martinez will be confirmed as elected officials without the need for a formal election. The designated election official is responsible for providing them with certificates of election, and both candidates will be required to take their oaths of office within the next ten days after receiving these certificates. Following this, they will be entitled to participate in the Board of Education meetings.
This announcement was officially publicized by Shiona Nash, Board Secretary, on September 3, 2025, and was included in The Gazette on September 5, 2025.
Background on Board Elections
The Board of Education in El Paso County School District 8, which is part of the Fountain-Fort Carson School District, underwent this process as part of compliance with state regulations (specifically, Colo. Rev. Stat. sect. 1-5-208(1.5)). These regulations enable school boards to cancel elections if the number of candidates does not exceed the number of available positions. This mechanism is designed to streamline the election process and reduce unnecessary expenditures when a competitive race is absent.
Typically, school board elections are an important part of local governance and involve a greater number of candidates. However, in this specific case, the lack of additional interested individuals resulted in an expedited election process. This has allowed the district to conclusively fill the two director positions without additional election costs or complications.
The Role of School Directors
School directors play a crucial role in the administration of education within their districts, overseeing policies, budgets, and educational standards. Their work directly impacts students, parents, and educational staff within the district. With Kimball and Martinez stepping into these roles, they will be tasked with making significant decisions affecting local schools.
Conclusion
The cancellation of the Board Election in El Paso County School District 8 epitomizes an efficient use of resources when an uncontested election situation arises. With only two candidates, the school district can effectively proceed with governance without the delays associated with a full electoral process.
FAQ Section
What prompted the cancellation of the board election?
The election was canceled because only two candidates, Loretta Kimball and Shirley Martinez, filed to run for two available director positions, which allows the election to be cancelled under state law.
What does it mean for the candidates to be elected by acclamation?
Being elected by acclamation means that the candidates were unopposed and are considered elected without the need for a formal vote, as the number of candidates matched the number of positions.
What are the responsibilities of school directors?
School directors oversee the governance of the school district, including the establishment of educational policies, budget allocation, and overall administration of schools in the district.
Key Features of the Event
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Resolution | August 27, 2025 |
| Deadline for Candidate Assessment | August 29, 2025 |
| Election Date | November 4, 2025 |
| Candidates Declared Elected | Loretta Kimball, Shirley Martinez |
| Date of Announcement | September 3, 2025 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- The Gazette: Cancellation of School Board Election
- El Paso Times: Candidates Running in May 3 Elections
- El Paso Times: What to Know for Upcoming Elections
- Wikipedia: El Paso County School District 8
- Google Search: El Paso County School Board Elections
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
