The November Estes Park School District R-3 Board of Education election was canceled on Thursday afternoon during a special meeting that lasted less than 5 minutes.
Only three candidates filed to run for the three open seats: incumbents Stacy Ferree and Ava Kendall, and newcomer Franco Wederski.
In the brief meeting, Erin Copeland, assistant to the superintendent and secretary to the Board, read a resolution calling for the cancellation of the election and declaring the candidates “elected by acclamation,” a process that avoids the costs and logistics of holding a formal election for uncontested positions.
The resolution was passed unanimously by the five sitting board members: Stacy Ferree, president; Ava Kendall, vice president; John Davis, secretary and treasurer; and directors Brenda Wyss and Brad Shochat.
Davis, who was elected in 2021, did not seek reelection.
Ferree and Kendall were elected in 2021. They have focused on programs that enhance student achievement, promote equity and inclusion, and strengthen partnerships between schools and families.
Newcomer Franco Wederski, an Estes Park resident and education advocate, has expressed interest in bringing fresh perspectives to the board, particularly in technology integration, student wellness, and environmental education.
Because board membership demands a great deal of time, several people who expressed interest in serving also acknowledged that they did not have the time to commit to the role, said Gabe Cabrera, whose wife Courtney served on the board in 2021.
“As a parent with kids in the district for six years, I’ve seen school board elections that were highly competitive and others where seats were filled without real contests. While our incumbents have done good work, it’s important that elections give the community a chance to hear what candidates stand for and how they’ll support our schools,” said Cabrera, who administers a Facebook page focused on Estes Park School District election news that reaches 300 to 500 readers.
According to Cabrera, the challenge and opportunity “lie in encouraging more parents and community members with leadership experience—whether in business, nonprofits, or volunteer work—to step forward. In a small town, even the smallest decisions can have a big impact, and we want the right people in the right places to keep our district strong.”