News Summary
The El Paso County School District 8 has canceled its Board of Education election. Loretta Kimball and Shirley Martinez have been declared elected by acclamation due to a lack of candidates. With no election necessary, both candidates will take office following the receipt of their election certificates. This decision reflects a growing trend of streamlined governance in local districts, ensuring educational leadership continues without interruption.
El Paso County, Colorado – The El Paso County School District 8 has officially cancelled its upcoming Board of Education election, declaring two candidates, Loretta Kimball and Shirley Martinez, elected by acclamation. This cancellation comes as a result of an insufficient number of candidates to fill the available positions on the board.
The Board of Education came to this decision during a meeting on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, when they adopted a resolution to cancel the Board Director Election scheduled for November 4, 2025. According to Colorado state law, specifically Colo. Rev. Stat. sect. 1-5-208(1.5), elections may be cancelled when there are not more candidates than offices available.
The deadline to assess the number of candidates was set for August 29, 2025. With only two individuals submitting nomination petitions with the necessary signatures to qualify for candidacy, it was determined that no election was necessary. As such, both Kimball and Martinez will be recognized as the new school directors.
Under the law, the designated election official is required to provide certificates of election to the newly elected candidates. Loretta Kimball and Shirley Martinez must then take the oath of office within 10 days following the receipt of their certificates. Once this procedure is complete, both candidates will be eligible to participate in meetings of the Board of Education.
This announcement was made public by Shiona Nash, the Board Secretary, on September 3, 2025, and the formal notice appeared in The Gazette on September 5, 2025. The election cancellation reflects an ongoing trend of board appointments being made without a competitive election process, as districts work to ensure their governance roles are filled in an effective manner without unnecessary delays.
The El Paso County School District 8 is situated within the Fountain-Fort Carson School District and serves a diverse community of students. The Board of Education, composed of directors elected by the community, plays a critical role in shaping educational policies and overseeing the district’s operations.
The election of school directors represents an important aspect of local governance, allowing community members to have a direct influence on educational programming and district administration. With the recent cancellation of the election, the board will not only maintain continuity of leadership but also ensure that decisions concerning educational resources and student well-being continue without interruption.
As the new directors, Kimball and Martinez will face important responsibilities in the upcoming school year, including budgeting, curriculum decisions, and addressing community concerns regarding education. Their leadership will be crucial in navigating the challenges faced by the district and the students it serves.
In summary, the cancellation of the Board of Education election in El Paso County School District 8 has resulted in Loretta Kimball and Shirley Martinez being declared elected by acclamation, following the established procedures outlined by state law. As they prepare to take office, their contributions will be instrumental in guiding the district forward in its educational mission.
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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 LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of 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 from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
