The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a Candidate Forum for Mesa County Valley School District 51 Board of Education candidates.
This event, part of the Chamber’s endorsement process that also includes questionnaires and candidate interviews, gave the business community a direct look at the priorities and perspectives of those seeking to lead the district.
The Chamber’s involvement in these conversations is deliberate. Our schools are the supply side of the talent pipeline, and businesses are the demand side. Strong schools and strong businesses go hand in hand, and preparing students for career success requires collaboration among educators, families, and employers.
Throughout the forum, candidates found common ground in recognizing the district’s recent turnaround. Incumbents Andrea Haitz, Angela Lema, and Will Jones emphasized the importance of continuing the momentum of the past four years, pointing to gains such as higher graduation rates, improved financial stability, and the milestone of 100 percent of schools now achieving Colorado’s top two performance ratings. Non-incumbents Kaci Cole and Vicki Woods acknowledged those successes but reminded the audience that sustaining this progress will be the real challenge moving forward.
Career readiness was one of the most consistent themes of the afternoon. All candidates spoke about the need to prepare students for multiple pathways—whether that be college, trades, or entering the workforce directly—while also embedding essential soft skills like communication, teamwork, and professionalism. Their examples ranged from internships with local businesses to problem-based learning in elementary classrooms, all aimed at ensuring students graduate with both academic strength and real-world readiness.
Fiscal responsibility was another recurring priority. Candidates agreed that resources should be directed to classrooms and that teacher compensation and retention are key to sustaining academic success. Where they differed was in how best to achieve those goals. Haitz emphasized that the district’s decision to cut $1.3 million from central office spending
demonstrated that tough choices can free up resources for classrooms. Woods spoke about the urgency of addressing aging school facilities, while Cole stressed the need to engage the community more directly in budgeting decisions to ensure taxpayer voices are heard.
Technology, and particularly the growing presence of artificial intelligence, drew a range of perspectives. Cole described AI as a powerful tool that, with proper safeguards, could enrich learning, while Jones stressed the importance of setting clear parameters before allowing widespread classroom use. Lema highlighted the potential for AI to reduce teacher workload, though she cautioned against losing the creativity and individuality of students. Woods likened the moment to the early adoption of computers, urging that policy development should involve community input. Haitz called for a “measure twice, cut once” approach, predicting that the district will need to adjust its policies repeatedly as technology evolves.
Declining enrollment, estimated at around 400 students per year, was repeatedly identified as a pressing challenge. Angela Lema warned that this trend is already reducing state funding and will require more difficult cuts in the years ahead. Kaci Cole agreed, emphasizing that both enrollment decline and budget pressures go hand in hand and that community involvement will be critical in shaping solutions. Will Jones acknowledged that school closures may eventually have to be considered, though he expressed hope they could be avoided. Andrea Haitz echoed that enrollment decline is one of the district’s greatest challenges, stressing the importance of long-term planning.
School safety also rose as a top concern. Jones placed it at the center of his platform, pointing to recent bond funding that has enhanced building access controls and visitor management systems. Woods agreed that safety is vital but added that academic and career preparation must remain a parallel priority.
For Mesa County businesses, these conversations go far beyond the classroom. Every decision about budgets, curriculum, and partnerships directly impacts the workforce pipeline. By hosting this forum, the Chamber helps ensure members are informed, engaged, and ready to evaluate candidates with a clear understanding of their priorities. Strong schools mean a stronger workforce, and ultimately, a stronger economy.